The Department
How a Violent Government Bureaucracy Killed Hundreds and Hid the Evidence
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
‘A must-read exposé of one of Britain’s biggest hidden scandals’ Frances Ryan, Guardian journalist and author of  Crippled: Austerity and the Demonisation of Disabled People
‘This is the definitive proof of how government austerity hasn’t just harmed disabled people, it has killed them’ John McDonnell MP
In the early 2010s, reports began to emerge of deaths linked to a government department. Suicide notes, coroners’ reports, and research by disabled activists pointed to failings within the Department for Work and Pensions – the DWP – the government body responsible for the disability benefits system.
As years passed, and austerity tightened its grip, the death toll mounted, and an even more disturbing picture emerged: bureaucracy, politicians, and the private sector had combined over thirty years to reckless, deadly effect.
For the last decade, disabled journalist John Pring has meticulously pieced together how the DWP ignored pleas to correct fatal flaws in the social security system and covered up its role in the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of disabled people. Having spent years researching the heartbreaking stories of twelve individuals who died, he describes how their bereaved families have fought for justice and accountability.
John Pring is founder and editor of the news agency Disability News Service. He is co-creator of the Deaths by Welfare timeline, and co-editor and specialist advisor on the award-winning Museum of Austerity project. His stories have appeared in the  Guardian,   Daily Mirror  and  Private Eye. He is also the author of  Longcare Survivors: The Biography of a Care Scandal.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Preface
- Content Advice
- Introduction: The Death of Philippa Day
- Part I 1989–97: Peter Lilley, Incapacity Benefit, and How Ill-health Became a Luxury
- Part II 1997–2010: DWP, New Labour, and the ‘Reckless’ Work Capability Assessment
- Part III 2010–14: The Coalition, Austerity, and Deaths by Welfare
- Part IV 2014–22: Cover-up, Investigations, and the Truth about DWP
- Epilogue
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
- Trigger Index
- Index