Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Safeguarding Vulnerable Claimants 2025-05-15

15 May 2025 · 6 other contributors

Opened by Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth

Benefits & WelfareStandards & Ethics

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Debbie Abrahams raised concerns about safeguarding vulnerable claimants 2025-05-15 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • The report highlights inadequate safeguarding practices in the Department for Work and Pensions that contributed to deaths of claimants, including through suicide and starvation.
  • It calls for a statutory safeguarding duty on DWP to protect claimants and for transparency in recording and publishing cases of serious harms and deaths involving claimants.
  • The report also requests robust learning from past mistakes and improvements in identifying and supporting vulnerable individuals.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth

The report highlights inadequate safeguarding practices in the Department for Work and Pensions that contributed to deaths of claimants, including through suicide and starvation. It calls for a statutory safeguarding duty on DWP to protect claimants, proactive consideration of policy impacts on health and wellbeing, transparency in recording and publishing cases of serious harms and deaths involving claimants, robust learning from past mistakes and failures, and improvements in identifying and supporting vulnerable individuals.

Other contributors (6)
  • Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth

    The report calls for a statutory safeguarding duty on DWP to protect claimants, proactive consideration of policy impacts on health and wellbeing, transparency in recording and publishing cases of serious harms and deaths involving claimants, robust learning from past mistakes and failures, improvements in identifying and supporting vulnerable individuals, detailed information about additional support offered proactively to claimants.

  • Rachael Maskell Lab/Co-op York Central

    Pays tribute to the lead MP for her work on safeguarding vulnerable people. Questions the lack of recommendation regarding conditionality removal and suggests publishing full evidence base from chief medical adviser’s assessments.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Asks if a system within DWP can flag very vulnerable claimants to ensure they deal with the same person, potentially someone specifically qualified. Emphasises proactive identification and assessment of vulnerabilities.

  • Gill German Lab Clwyd North

    Agrees that safeguarding needs to be second nature for those at DWP, similar to teachers’ duties. Advocates for clear action from the Government to create a more compassionate system based on cultural change.

  • Daniel Francis Lab Bexleyheath and Crayford

    Questions how plans for safeguarding claimants can be applied to current government policies. Emphasises the need for safeguarding to be integrated into policy development at all stages.

  • Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South

    Highlights the cultural change required within DWP, emphasising reflective practice and sharing of best practices. Advocates for a system-based approach to safeguarding with compassion at its core.

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