Sheffield MP’s anger after constituent is declared fit to work despite waiting for triple heart bypass

Konrad Zastawny, 55, of Meersbrook, is due to have triple heart bypass surgery in January, after being diagnosed with angina and a blocked artery earlier this year.

After being signed off sick at work, Mr Zatawny applied for Universal Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is currently living off only £317 a month.

However, the DWP has now informed Mr Zatawny that he is fit for work meaning that, under departmental sanctions, he could have his universal credit payments withheld if he does not proactively look for work.

Ms Haigh is supporting his appeal to the DWP and has written to the Secretary of State to demand that his case be reconsidered.

She said: “Konrad’s case demonstrates, yet again, the Tories’ callous and heartless attitude towards sick and disabled people. It is disgraceful and dangerous for the Government to force people who are seriously unwell back into work.

“I will, of course, support Konrad in his appeal with the DWP but the Government needs to change its whole approach towards social security. Payment delays and sanctions have forced families relying on Universal Credit into poverty and debt as they’re left without any money to pay bills and put food on the table.

“Sick and disabled people deserve proper care and support. The Government must scrap Universal Credit, unjust work capability assessments, and the punitive sanctions regime that are pushing people into destitution and putting lives at risk.”

Mr Zatawny said: "We need to know if we are a country that really supports people who cannot work. Let’s be honest about it. Therese Coffey sitting on BBC News telling everyone ‘If you can't work you are protected under Universal Credit’ is only being honest if the system does that, otherwise it’s just window dressing covering up poverty.”

When Universal Credit was rolled-out in Sheffield in August 2015, only a handful of people were moved over to the new system but, as of August 2019, nearly 14,000 households in the city receive this type of benefit.

Sanctions reached a peak in March 2018 when 363 people had their payments reduced in a single month. In Sheffield Heeley, that reached 18 per cent – three times higher than the corresponding national figure of 6 per cent.

In 2015 the DWP revealed 2,380 people had died between December 2011 and February 2014 after being declared fit for work.

The DWP said they were currently awaiting further information and paperwork from Mr Zatawny and added: “We are currently reviewing Mr Zastawny’s claim taking into account new information he has provided.”