THE most severely injured survivor of the 7/7 bombings has had his disability payments restored after The Sun intervened.
Dan Biddle, 46, lost both legs, his left eye and spleen in the 2005 terror attack, and suffers complex PTSD.
Dan Biddle, 46, lost both legs, his left eye and spleen in the 2005 terror attack, and suffers complex PTSDOlivia West
Olivia WestDan said: ‘I want to say a massive thank you to The Sun. You’ve enabled me to get my business back on track’[/caption]
Getty Images – GettyEmergency workers at Edgware Road Station after a suicide bomber detonated a bomb on a Tube train in 2005[/caption]
He has a business which helps companies attract and employ disabled people.
For the past four years, the Government allowed him to employ wife Gem for 40 hours a week as his support worker via an Access To Work grant.
She helps wheelchair-user Dan get to meetings, and supports him with his severe physical and mental health issues caused by the bombing.
But days after the 20th anniversary of the atrocity, he learned that his grant was being cut to 13 hours — meaning the couple would lose three-quarters of their income.
Dan feared losing his business and even ending up homeless as he struggled to make ends meet.
But after we highlighted his case, the Department for Work and Pensions agreed to reconsider.
And now officials have confirmed he will continue to receive the same sum.
Dan, of South Wales, said: “I want to say a massive thank you to The Sun. You’ve enabled me to get my business back on track. I couldn’t have done it without your pressure on the DWP.”
The DWP is reviewing all Access to Work grants when they come up for renewal.
But campaign group Access to Work Collective says they are getting slashed after being treated as new applications.
Dan’s grant was reduced even though his circumstances had not changed.
He was standing next to a suicide attacker who detonated a bomb on a Tube train near Edgware Road station on July 7, 2005.
Dan said: “There are still thousands of people out there who are living in fear that they’re not going to get their support reinstated or that it’s going to be cut.
“I read about somebody who has been waiting two and a half years for a decision.
“I’d love to sit with Keir Starmer and ask how you can spend £12billion a year on hotels for people to enter the country illegally yet penalise disabled people.”
The DWP said: “Following more evidence provided by Mr Biddle, he will continue to receive his existing Access to Work grant.”
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