Johnny Timpson has resigned from the Prime Minister’s Champion Group for Dementia Communities in protest at Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) policy.
Announcing his decision, Timpson (pictured) highlighted the case of a 92-year-old lady with dementia that the DWP was making repay more than £7,000 in disability allowance.
“I do not support this stance”, Timpson said on LinkedIn.
“If there was ever a case for DWP applying its own policy and importantly, taking learning from the vulnerable customer and protection from harm policy and practice applying in UK regulated sectors, particularly in relation to people with disabilities and unpaid carers, then it’s this.”
The case of Rose Chitseko’s mother was highlighted by The Guardian which reported that it did not report a change in circumstance while in the early stages of dementia.
The DWP rejected an appeal but did reduce the amount to be repaid from £8,000 to £7,135.08 for the time the additional carer’s allowance was being received.
The department has since told The Guardian that it was reviewing the case urgently and that “when recovering overpayments, we carefully balance our duty to protect the public purse with helping individuals manage their repayments – with strong safeguards in place.”