“Suicide is a very complex issue, so it would be wrong to link it solely to someone’s benefit claim.

“We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable claimants and keep guidance under constant review to provide the highest standard of protection.”

Not an isolated story

Sadly, Phillip’s story is not isolated. His death is just one of many that is being link to UK’s Universal Credit system, according to WSWS.org.

In 2019, Stephen Smith, a chronically ill man weighing only six stone, was declared “fit to work” and died shortly after.

The same year, Joy Worrall, an 81-year-old retiree, tragically took her own life by jumping into a quarry after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) froze her pension benefits, leaving her with only $6 to her name.