The Tragic Suicide of Unemployed Father Phillip Herron Highlights Flaws in Universal Credit System
On March 18, 2019, unemployed father-of-three Phillip Herron tragically took his own life in Sacriston, County Durham, United Kingdom. The 34-year-old had just £4.61 in his bank account and was struggling to support his family while making payments on £20,000 of debt. Herron's suicide highlights issues with the Universal Credit system which was implemented by the Coalition Government in 2013 to combine multiple benefits into one monthly payment.
Introduction to Universal Credit
Universal Credit was introduced with the intention of simplifying the benefits system. It replaced six previous benefits - housing benefit, child tax credit, income support, working tax credit, income-based jobseeker's allowance and income-related employment and support allowance - with one single monthly payment.
However, a major flaw in the system is the five week wait before claimants receive their first payment. With no money coming in for over a month, many struggle to stay afloat.
Herron's Financial Struggles
Phillip Herron was left unemployed after quitting his factory job to care for his younger children. Without a steady income, he quickly accrued £20,000 in debt that he struggled to pay back.
Herron kept his money troubles secret from his family. His mother Sheena Derbyshire only pieced together the events leading to his suicide after he passed away. She discovered he hadn't been able to play 'Father Christmas' properly in 2018 due to his mounting debts.
The Five Week Wait Takes Its Toll
In the months leading up to his death, Herron's behavior markedly changed as he waited weeks for his first Universal Credit payment. Derbyshire hacked into his phone and found hundreds of calls where Herron, usually soft-spoken, was screaming in frustration.
On March 18, Herron posted a photo of himself crying in his car before taking his own life. In his suicide letter, he said his family would be better off without him.
The Aftermath
Derbyshire has been wracked with guilt since her son's passing. Herron's children are also struggling to come to terms with his death.
At Herron's upcoming inquest, Derbyshire plans to use the information she uncovered to highlight issues with Universal Credit and the five week wait period that likely contributed to his suicide.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Philip Herron reveals how the lengthy wait for a first Universal Credit payment can severely impact vulnerable individuals and families. While designed to make the system simpler, the five week delay left Herron in financial purgatory that sadly proved too much to bear.
His suicide underscores the need for urgent reforms to Universal Credit. No one should have to take their own life due to financial desperation caused by flaws in a government benefits system. Reducing or eliminating the five week wait period could be an important first step in preventing similar tragedies in the future.
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