Luke Loy had a life, until his benefits started falling away | Frances Ryan
by Frances Ryan from on (#11CS7)
The DWP placed sanctions on a schizophrenic man when he fell into difficulties. It was an aggressive and destructive way to treat someone so vulnerable
Luke Alexander Loy was not one of George Osborne's "hard-working people". The 42-year-old had schizophrenia and was unable to work (or "do the right thing", as David Cameron now ominously terms being employed . But Luke's story - his life - is one worth talking about.
Luke lived with his mother in their two-bed council house in Birmingham and had built a stable rhythm: carving wood sculptures as art therapy in their front room, going for walks five times a day, and shopping for his elderly neighbours.
Under austerity, Britain's welfare state appears to be sliding into survival of the fittest
Related: Death has become a part of Britain's benefits system | Frances Ryan
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