Oral Answers to Questions

Lilian Greenwood Excerpts

Wednesday 5th February 2020 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

That was rude. In response to my hon. Friend, the short answer is yes and yes.

[Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)]

Q11. Last week it was revealed that my constituent Errol Graham starved to death just months after the Department for Work and Pensions stopped his benefits. His emaciated body was only discovered when bailiffs broke down his front door to evict him. The first priority of Government is to keep their citizens safe. How many more vulnerable benefit claimants will have to die before this Government start to value their lives?

[The Prime Minister]

This is a tragic case, and the hon. Lady is right to raise it. We have allocated £36 million to improve safeguarding and decision making in cases like this, including through the creation of a new independent serious case panel, which will enable us to scrutinise and learn lessons from such tragic cases. We are also improving guidance for staff.