THE PCS union has backed calls for the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to adopt a legal safeguarding duty for vulnerable benefits claimants.

More than 20 disability and welfare rights organisations and charities have told a Commons work & pensions committee inquiry they supported the move.

In its written response, Disability Rights UK said the department’s refusal to accept that it had a statutory safeguarding responsibility to claimants in vulnerable situations was not only shocking and shameful but also dangerous, with any harm caused to claimants by the department falling “to other services such as the NHS and social care to mop up.”

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “DWP has a long and shameful history of operating a hostile regime towards claimants, whether it’s through its conditionality and sanctions regime or by forcing claimants to jump through so many hoops to access their benefits entitlements.

“This has had catastrophic impacts on individual vulnerable claimants resulting in cases of suicide. PCS, through its negotiating structures, has pressed the department to operate a more humane, responsible and supportive regime, particularly towards the most vulnerable in society.

“We therefore welcome the demand for DWP to have a statutory duty to safeguard the well-being of ‘vulnerable’ claimants of benefits.”

Department bosses told the committee: “We support millions of people every year and our top priority is they get the benefits to which they are entitled to at the right time, and to ensure they receive a supportive and compassionate service.

“While the department does not have a statutory or common law duty of care, we engage with claimants and, where appropriate, direct or refer them to appropriate agencies who may owe a duty of care and can provide appropriate support.”