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Safeguarding Vulnerable Claimants 2025-05-15
15 May 2025
Lead MP
Debbie Abrahams
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSTaxation
Other Contributors: 6
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
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.
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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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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