Commenting on today’s mortality statistics of those who have died after claiming Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance, Kate Green MP, Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, said:  

“Ministers have been trying to suppress these statistics for more than three years, even going as far as appealing a ruling by the Information Commissioner that they were acting unreasonably in doing so. The delay and the lack of transparency in publishing this information is a disgrace and has caused huge distress to the families and friends of those affected.

“These figures should be a wake-up call for the Government.  Ministers need to focus on sorting out the assessment process so that everyone can have confidence in it, and providing support for disabled people who can work in order to help them do so.”