They’ve experienced the extremes of human suffering, and yet now, just when they thought they had reached a place of safety, they risk destitution due to government cutbacks. That’s the situation facing torture survivors who have sought refuge in the UK. As debate rages over Labour’s planned cuts to personal independence payment (PIP), people who have already been victimised in their countries of origin are finding themselves vulnerable once again.
According to the charity Freedom from Torture, which works with survivors, PIP is crucial to help with the extra day-to-day costs that result from what has happened to them. Many have been forced to undertake dangerous journeys in order to reach safety, only to face the gruelling process of going through the UK’s asylum system, and they badly need an opportunity to recover.
PIP ‘a lifeline’ for survivors, says charity
“The men, women and children that Freedom from Torture support, have endured the most unimaginable horrors”, said the charity’s national welfare manager, Salma Iqbal. “They are people living with long-term physical and mental health conditions caused by the torture they’ve survived and who may need extra support whilst they recover.
“Once they’ve been through the asylum system and been recognised as refugees, they can start the difficult road to rebuilding their lives in our communities. For most of the survivors I work with, their personal independence payments are a vital lifeline that helps them on this journey.
“The government should not be restricting the criteria for PIP, as this will shut the door on so many people who desperately rely on this financial assistance for help with everyday tasks or getting around. So many survivors of torture will be pushed further into poverty and destitution, putting them at very real risk of harm.
“Most people in this country are caring and believe that people with a disability or long-term health condition should be supported to live with dignity. Instead of taking life-changing support away from those who need it, the government should be enabling disabled torture survivors and others with long-term health conditions to live independently and to participate fully as members of our communities.”
Restricting support for mental health conditions makes recovery harder
Upon being granted asylum, people often struggle to find suitable accommodation and work. Many live in poverty or even face homelessness, all of which can compound the trauma they’ve already experienced. Flashbacks to those experiences, along with panic attacks and depression, can be ongoing problems. This means that support is essential – and with the right support, they can begin to work through their experiences and regain control of their lives.
Applying for PIP is already a long and complex process. Supporting people through it is one of the largest areas of work undertaken by Freedom from Torture’s welfare team. The charity is concerned that changes to eligibility criteria, especially around mental health conditions, will make it even harder for torture survivors to get the help they need. It stressed that instead of taking support away, the government should ensure that disabled torture survivors, and others with long-term health conditions, are able to live independently and participate fully in society.
Protecting disabled people’s rights
As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UK has committed to protecting disabled people’s rights and helping them to live independently in the community. As a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture and the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, it has an obligation to protect people who are seeking asylum because they have been tortured. Torture survivors have already experienced persecution, often by government agents in their countries of origin. They need to know that the UK will honour its commitments and provide them with the opportunity to make a fresh start.
Yorkshire Bylines reached out to the Department of Work and Pensions for comment on these concerns, but has yet to receive a response. The government has previously stated that it remains opposed to all forms of torture and that it stands in solidarity with victims of torture all around the world.
