Disability Benefit Claimants

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Excerpts

Tuesday 8th June 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

My noble friend raises an important issue. Comprehensive guidance is available to all work coaches and case managers on how to deal with threats of self-harm. This guidance applies to all methods of communication, including the online journal. When a threat of self-harm is identified, agents follow a six-point plan and I am happy to let my noble friend have that. The plan helps them take the right action, at the right time, to ensure that the customer receives the support they need.

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

My Lords, the Minister has given us an extensive account of mental health training. I am sure she is aware of the Z2K #PeopleBeforeProcess report which looked at PIP payments. One of the respondents to the survey behind that report said that the assessor

“noted in the report that I couldn’t have mental health problems as I wasn’t rocking back and forward.”

How does the Minister account for that statement and many others in that report in the light of the training she outlined?

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

All I can say to the noble Baroness is that that is obviously unacceptable. The DWP will look at that report and take action.