Disabled Mark Wood starved to death four months after he was found "fit to work" and his benefits were slashed.
The “frail and vulnerable” 44-year-old weighed just 5st 8lbs when he was found.
He had failed his assessment for sickness benefit, leaving him struggling to survive on just £40 a week, despite numerous health problems.
Mark died at his home in Bampton - part of David Cameron’s Oxfordshire constituency - in August 2013.
He
had Asperger syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder, in addition to
cognitive behavioural problems, including a phobia of certain foods.
His GP Nicolas Ward told Oxford coroners court: “He was an extremely fragile individual who was coping with life.
“Something
pushed him or affected him in the time before he died and the only
thing I can put my finger on is the pressure he felt when his benefits
were removed.”
Following the assessment, Mark lost his housing
benefit and employment support, leaving him just £40 a week disability
allowance - not even enough to cover his rent or utility bills.
Mark’s
sister Cathie said: “When the police found him, there was very little
food in the house, just half a banana and a tin of tuna.
“I’d like David Cameron and his Government to be aware of the personal cost of their policies and how they are affecting real people and causing real heartache.”
Have your say in the post comments section below
No comments:
Post a Comment