Up to 50,000 people a day have been blocked from calling a crucial debt hotline run by the government. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has apologised after admitting a “large number” of people could not get through to its Debt Management line - which is used to reclaim money from people who are “overpaid” benefits.
It meant people facing destitution due to repayments were unable to speak to an advisor - even when the debt was not their fault.
When people are overpaid benefits, it is often due to DWP errors - or because they are a victim of fraud by someone claiming in their name.
The staggering number of blocked calls was revealed to Labour MP Stephen Timms, chairman of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee.
Read more on mirror.co.uk