The Equality and Human Rights Commission has announced that it has launched an investigation into the Department for Work and Pensions.
This comes as the commission suspects that the treatment of some disabled benefits claimants has broken equality law, with this relating to ‘successive Secretaries of State.’ As the organisation responsible for the handling of crucial support for people all over the country, the department is under investigation for reported failures to make reasonable adjustments for those with learning disabilities or long-term mental health conditions during health assessments.
As part of this investigation, the EHRC will also look into whether or not the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has complied with the Public Sector Equality Duty obligations which require bodies such as the department to prevent discrimination by considering equality throughout their operations. Assessments of compliance will be conducted in relation to the development, implementation and monitoring of health assessment determination policy guidance.
Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, said:
“We are extremely worried about the treatment of some disabled benefits claimants by the DWP. We suspect the Secretary of State’s department may have broken equality law. We have decided we need to take the strongest possible action and that’s why we have launched this investigation.
“The DWP is responsible for vital support which many disabled people rely on, including Personal Independence Payments, Employment and Support Allowance, and Universal Credit. Access to that support must be fair and must meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
“Our investigation, alongside the PSED assessment we are also undertaking will find out whether the DWP and the Secretary of State have breached equality law. If they have, we will use our unique legal powers to hold them to account.”
Examinations into the DWP’s treatment of some benefits claimants began in 2021 after the raising of serious concerns, including some that relate to the deaths of claimants. Beginning yesterday, the investigation will see whistleblowers encouraged to provide evidence, with evidence then being reviewed to establish whether or not the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has committed unlawful acts under the Equality Act 2010.
The Department for Work and Pensions has not yet commented on the launching of the investigation.
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