Timeline and key reports

• July 2021: Tip of the Iceberg

  We launched our campaign when Rethink Mental Illness published the Tip of the Iceberg report which found many examples where the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to support people.

• October 2021: Campaigners write to Thérèse Coffey

  Over 1200 of our campaigners emailed Thérèse Coffey asking her to meet with bereaved families

• March 2022: We're Just Numbers to Them Report

  Rethink Mental Illness publishes We're Just Numbers to Them Report which concluded that there are likely to be many incidents of serious harm and even death that the DWP is not investigating.

• October 2022: Cross-party MP Letter

  Work and pensions spokespeople for Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party write to Chloe Smith, the former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in support of the campaign and commending bereaved families for their campaigning efforts.

• February 2023: Open letter to Secretary of State

  A letter from bereaved families is sent to the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride to request a meeting to discuss their experience and the campaign.

• August 2023: Work and Pensions Select Committee Inquiry

  The Work and Pensions select committee launches an inquiry into safeguarding vulnerable benefit claimants. 

• October 2023: We respond to the Select Committee Inquiry

  Rethink Mental Illness responds to DWP Select Committee inquiry, calling for safeguarding of vulnerable claimants.

• May 2025: Work and Pensions Select Committee Report

  MPs in the Work and Pensions Select Committee release a report calling for the benefits system to have a legal duty to safeguard vulnerable claimants.