Big Brother pays your benefits: We read 995 pages on how to surveil people so you don't have to

Content warning: this episode includes some disturbing stories of people who have died after having their benefits cut or withdrawn by the UK Department of Work and Pensions

This week we're looking at the ways in which the UK Department of Work and Pensions surveil benefit recipients.

Links

You can find out more about the DWP's surveillance here: https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/4395/shedding-light-dwp-part-1-we-read-uk-welfare-agencys-995-page-guide-conducting

You can find out more about the DWP's alogrithims here: https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/4397/shedding-light-dwp-part-2-long-days-journey-towards-transparency

You can find out more about each of the cases of people who died after their benefits withdrawn below.

Errol Graham: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-51283186

The 5,000: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jan/16/people-died-benefits-error

Jodey Whiting: https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/jodey-whiting-dwp-continued-to-phone-woman-who-took-her-own-life-inquiry-finds/

Phillipa Day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-55826996

David Clapson: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/03/victims-britains-harsh-welfare-sanctions

If you're having problems navigating the UK's benefits system Citizen's Advice is a good place to go for help and support: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/