Jobcentre Plus, photo Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons)

Jobcentre Plus, photo Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons)   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

A vigil was held in Nottingham on 7 February to remember Errol Graham, who died when the Department for Work and Payments (DWP) stopped his benefit. The event was supported by Nottingham Trade Union Council (TUC).

In a statement Notts TUC pointed out that Errol’s benefit was his only source of income. Errol had serious mental health issues which his family had tried to have addressed.

The DWP stopped Errol’s Employment Support Allowance when he failed to attend a Work Capability Assessment. However, they knew Errol was vulnerable and their own rules should have prevented this.

A combination of the crisis in mental health services and the government’s benefits sanctions led to Errol’s death, and his family want a criminal inquiry.