by Peter Lazenby

Northern Reporter

A BENEFIT claimant had to have his leg amputated when his diabetes spiralled out of control because he was unable to afford food after being sanctioned, campaigners revealed as they launched a fresh appeal for funds to fight the Tories.

David Boyce (pictured) won an appeal against the repeated jobcentre sanctions but it was already too late.

He couldn’t control his insulin intake, his diabetic ulcers became infected and doctors were forced to amputate.

The Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre, which is representing Mr Boyce, said the sanctions regime is illegal, breaching the Equality Act.

The ancient legal principle that the government is not above the law is being flouted by the Department for Work and Pensions,” said centre manager Alec McFadden.

“Other cases of illegal benefits sanctions we are fighting include claimants with learning disabilities, mental health problems and physical impairments.

“Many have had their benefits stopped for being unable to get to totally unsuitable appointments.”
Last year the centre recovered £507,393 for claimants and helped over 500 people to get their benefits reinstated.

The centre, which is funded partly by the National Lottery, has launched an appeal for £30,000 to help it continue its work.

You can donate to keep the centre going at mstar.link/SUCRCfund.

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