Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of whether there is a link between people (a) applying for, (b) claiming and (c) under sanction in relation to universal credit and instances of (i) attempted suicide and (ii) suicide.

Attempted suicides and suicides are very complex issues. Where there is an allegation that the Department’s actions may have contributed to this outcome, we take it very seriously.

Ultimately, Coroners have responsibility for concluding the cause of death. Their investigations and conclusions are made at public hearings and published. If a risk of other deaths occurring in similar circumstances is identified, Coroners will issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report which is published on the judiciary website.

The Department also conducts Internal Process Reviews (IPRs). These are internal retrospective investigations, focused on organisational learning. An IPR will be conducted in all cases where:

• There is a suggestion or allegation that the Department’s actions or omissions may have negatively contributed to the customer’s circumstances, AND a customer has suffered serious harm, has died (including by suicide) or where we have reason to believe there has been an attempted suicide OR
• The Department is asked to participate in a Safeguarding Adults Review, a Significant Case Review, or is named as an Interested Party at an inquest. An IPR will be conducted regardless of whether there is an allegation against the Department.