Government issues 'unreserved apology' to family of Rochdale coma woman Sheila Holt

An "unreserved apology" has been issued by the government to the family of a woman who was sent a letter encouraging her to find work even though she has been in a coma for two months.

Speaking in the Commons, the Minister for Disabled People Mike Penning said things had clearly "gone wrong".

Sheila Holt, from Rochdale, was invited to "intensive job-focused activity".

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) was hounding disabled people.

Her case was raised in Parliament today by Labour MP Simon Danczuk during a debate on the effects of welfare reform on sick and disabled people.

He read out the letter which was sent to Miss Holt on 30 January which said: 'Dear Ms Holt, you are now approaching the end of the first stage of your intensive job focused activity.

‘We hope that all the activity or training intervention completed so far has not only supported you to achieve your aspirations but has moved you closer to the job market.

‘You will shortly enter the second stage of your intensive job-focused activity. Sessions and workshops may vary depending on the centre you attend.’

But Mr Danczuk told the Commons: "This letter was sent to my constituent Sheila Holt on January 30.

"I'm sad to inform the House that Sheila will not be attending the second stage of her intensive job-focused activity because she has been in a coma since December."

He said members of her family repeatedly informed the contractor carrying out work capability assessments for the DWP that she was not well "but they continued to get harassed by those organisations".

Ms Holt's father Ken said her last job was 27 years ago and last year she was forced to go on a job-seeking course for eight days.

After each day she became more and more agitated until she "cracked" her father said, and was hospitalised following a "manic episode".

But while in hospital she suffered a heart attack on 17 December last year and is still in a coma after suffering brain damage.

He said: "If they had left her alone she would not be in this condition. They were threatening her with cuts and she needs the benefits.

"I just believe it's all wrong, you should be chasing the people who are fit, get them to work, not them that are not fit. It's outrageous."

Mr Penning said: "I apologise, unreservedly, to the family as the minister responsible.

"The family have every right to be aggrieved and I hope she makes a full recovery."