Universal Credit Claims Yet Another Victim

A single dad of three Phillip Herron, 34 with £4.61 in the bank wept as he killed himself after waiting weeks for Universal Credit. Some of his loans were payday loans with 1,000 % interest, alleged the Sun newspaper that carried this story.

Mr Herron applied for government help but had to wait a month for Universal Credit which drove him even deeper into debt.

In a final act he uploaded a picture of himself crying to social media as he sat in his car on a quiet country lane on March 18. Then just minutes after taking the photo he ended his life. Phillip felt his family would be better off without him.

Mr Herron had quit his job as a factory worker recently to look after his young kids and he got into debt, which was exacerbated by the wailing time to get Universal Credit.  

This is a tragic story yet one that is sadly all too familiar. If you are feeling very low and anxious do seek help and advice. There are local services that assist people such as the Peabody Trust in Essex. Always seek help. Many people are in Mr Herron's situation. You are not alone.

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