Inquiry to begin into DWP’s treatment of ill and disabled people on benefits

The inquiry will look at the health checks that assess individuals’ eligibility for disability benefits such as personal independence payment and ‘fit for work’ tests. Photograph: Benjamin John/Alamy

The treatment of chronically ill and disabled people by welfare officials, including benefits decisions subsequently linked to the deaths of vulnerable claimants, is to be formally investigated by Britain’s human rights watchdog.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it would examine whether ministers at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had acted unlawfully by failing to protect claimants with learning disabilities or severe mental illness.