Big Brother pays your benefits: We read 995 pages on how to surveil people so you don't have to

Content warning: this episode includes some disturbing stories of people  who have died after having their benefits cut or withdrawn by the UK  Department of Work and Pensions 

This week we're looking at the ways in which the UK Department of Work  and Pensions surveil benefit recipients.

Links 

You can find out more about the DWP's surveillance here: https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/4395/shedding-light-dwp-part-1-we-read-uk-welfare-agencys-995-page-guide-conducting  

You can find out more about the DWP's alogrithims here: https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/4397/shedding-light-dwp-part-2-long-days-journey-towards-transparency    

You can find out more about each of the cases of people who died after their benefits withdrawn below.

Errol Graham:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-51283186 

The 5,000: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jan/16/people-died-benefits-error 

Jodey Whiting: https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/jodey-whiting-dwp-continued-to-phone-woman-who-took-her-own-life-inquiry-finds/ 

Phillipa Day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-55826996 

David Clapson: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/03/victims-britains-harsh-welfare-sanctions

If you're having problems navigating the UK's benefits system Citizen's Advice is a good place to go for help and support: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/