My heart goes out to Linda Cooksey, not only for losing her brother but for having to deal with the frustrations of getting the government to publish details of the review (Report, 12 January). It is terrifying that public funding cuts are being made to the third sector when they are the lifeline for vulnerable people. I am an unpaid carer and I could not cope without the support of carers’ organisations/charities helping me through the minefield of tribunals and applications for benefits. It is imperative that funding is not cut any more, as I fear more vulnerable people will feel bleak enough to do something drastic.
This government is so cocooned by privilege that its members cannot conceive of what it must have been like for Tim Salter to have no money in the bank, or food in the house. Westminster and the DWP need to take responsibility for the consequences of a cross on a form. We are all one car accident or stroke away from disability.
Name and address supplied
• The very fact that the independent case examiner report into the case of Tim Salter, who killed himself, puts the onus on Mr Salter to have used the complaints procedure, made clear the extent of his mental health problems, and given more information to Jobcentre Plus, shows that the system is not fit for purpose. Anyone with an ounce of common humanity, who was not seeking to defend the indefensible, would recognise that someone as vulnerable as Mr Salter would be totally unable to take the initiatives required for this.
This government is quick to trumpet its crusade against malingerers and benefit cheats. It seeks to do this by a system which wrongfoots and then blames applicants. However, those who understand the system can play it to their advantage. This no doubt applies to benefit cheats and wealthy tax dodgers alike.
JD Budden
Exmouth, Devon
• Does the DWP expect us to believe that only one out of 60 reviews of suicides related to “changes” to benefits resulted in an update to staff guidance? How is the very fact of 60 suicides since 2012, ie the real possibility of a fatal reaction to cuts in benefits, addressed in staff training? The peer reviews should be available to the bereaved families or a coroner, and overall there must be an independent inquiry.
Dr Graham Ullathorne
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
