Phillip Herron: Inside a single dad’s tragic end
Phillip Herron, a 34-year-old single father from Durham, England, tragically took his own life in 2019 after being forced to wait weeks for his first Universal Credit payment. Struggling with nearly $25,000 in debt and unable to provide for his three children, Phillip’s situation worsened as the system he relied on failed him.
The delay in receiving support, meant to help, instead pushed him to the edge. His mother, Sheena Derbyshire, discovered the extent of his financial struggles only after his death, finding eviction notices and heartbreaking messages.
Phillip’s death sparked outrage, with many blaming the delays in Universal Credit for exacerbating his crisis. Sheena now speaks out to raise awareness about the devastating impact of these delays, urging others who may be struggling to seek help before it’s too late. Tragically, Phillip’s case is not unique—other similar suicides have been linked to the system’s failures. Sheena’s message is clear: if changes aren’t made, more lives could be lost.
The Department for Work and Pensions expressed condolences but denied a direct link between the benefits system and his death, despite the overwhelming evidence of its impact on vulnerable claimants.
