'Real-life Daniel Blake' Who Had Heart Attack After Leaving Job Centre Has Benefits Slashed To £20 A Week

I, Daniel Blake shocked the nation in 2016 with its brutal depiction of one man's struggle dealing with the labyrinthine world of unemployment benefits in the UK.

For most, it was seen as a fictional, if accurate, portrayal of life in the welfare system, but for one Norfolk man, the struggle is entirely real.

David Coe, a 60-year-old from Norwich, has had his benefits slashed by almost 80% after the Job Centre declared him fit for work, despite having coronary heart disease and having suffered a heart attack as recently as last year.

Coe, who spent 20 years as a chef before his illness, was on disability benefits of £130 a week, but will now only receive £20 after the decision.

"They are doing everything they can to kill me," said David. "I am waiting to go into hospital to have a procedure on my heart. I have had two more heart attacks. How am I fit to work? I am on 11 tablets a day."

David spent a week in hospital last February after a heart attack and flatlined for nine minutes before doctors managed to save his life.

SWNS

He was signed off work and had been recovering until the recent change in his status.

He has appealed the decision by the Job Centre and a judge has ruled in his favour, stating that his ability to work was 'significantly limited' and represented a 'substantial risk of further deterioration to his health'.

Despite this, the Job Centre has again ruled that he must work.

"I want to work but I can't physically take up employment or I will die," said Coe, who started his career as a market trader in 1968 before retraining as a chef.

PA

His daughter Rachel said: "I am absolutely sickened by this. My dad died for nearly 10 minutes, but it doesn't seem to be enough."

The Department for Work and Pensions, which operates the Job Centre, said: "Decisions for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) are made after careful consideration of all the evidence provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist.

"Only a small proportion of all decisions are overturned at appeal - just 4 percent of PIP assessments and 5 percent of ESA Work Capability Assessments."

Official government statistics show that 68% of appealed work fitness tests result in the Job Centre's decision being overturned.

Topics: UK News, Money, Benefits

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a freelance journalist and LADbible contributor. He graduated from University of London with a BA in Philosophy before studying for a Masters in Journalism at the University of Salford. He has previously written for the M.E.N Group as well as working for several top professional sports clubs. Contact him on [email protected]

@TPWagwim