Tag Archives: ukcuts

Depressed Man Hanged Himself After His Sickness Benefits Were Cut, Inquest Hears

December 2, 2013   benefits, Carers, Depression, ukcuts

Neighbour became concerned

by · November 29, 2013

coroners-court2

photo credit: ell brown via photopin cc

59 year-old Victor Cuff from Gravesend in Kent, hung himself because his sickness benefits had been cut, an Inquest has heard.

Mr Cuff’s friend and neighbour, Colleen Gobel (69), told police how she had become concerned for Mr Cuff after not seeing him on 22nd May. Upon further investigation she found her neighbour dead in his bedroom.

Police were called to Mr Cuff’s ground-floor flat at 6:11pm.

Detective Sergeant James Greenidge, told the inquest that upon arrival at the flat he found Mr Cuff’s lying in his bed, and that “it appeared he hanged himself”. Detective Greenidge continued by saying: “there was evidence he was drunk”.

Colleen Gobel told police that Mr Cuff had a history of depression and was “feeling down” as a result of experiencing money troubles after his sickness benefits were reduced.

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Carers at breaking point

November 29, 2013   Carers, ukcuts, Wales
29 November 2013 Last updated at 08:09

Carers at breaking point, Older People’s Commissioner Sarah Rochira says

 Sarah Rochira says the system should fit around carers

More needs to be done to support carers who are at breaking point, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales says.

Sarah Rochira is concerned that too many carers across Wales are missing out on much-needed help and their work is often undervalued.

She said it can often lead to a deterioration of their mental and physical health.

Ministers said a “significantly strengthened and expanded policy” was in place to support carers.

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'Bedroom Tax' Leaves Disabled Fearing Eviction

November 27, 2013   Carers, disability, ukcuts

‘Bedroom Tax’ Leaves Disabled Fearing Eviction

 

11:00am 27th November 2013

 

Thousands of disabled people are cutting back on food and heating to pay for the so-called “bedroom tax”, according to a group of leading charities.

The chief executives of leading groups including Disability Rights UK, Scope, Carers UK, The Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Council For Disabled Children say the policy is having a “devastating impact” on people with disabilities.

More than 50 organisations have signed a letter to Iain Duncan Smith calling for immediate action to exempt disabled people from the Spare Room Subsidy.

They claim that it is harder for people in adapted housing to move and that “it is hitting disabled people who need an extra room for essential home adaptations or equipment which enable them to live independently”.

The letter to the Department of Work and Pensions states: “We have been deeply frustrated at reports that disabled people and their families are protected from this policy.

“The stark evidence since the policy was implemented in April clearly shows they are not.

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