It's more than 50 years since the play Cathy Come Home was broadcast on TV. However, the issues highlighted within the hard-hitting and heartbreaking programme are as real today as they were in the 1960s.

This week it has been reported that Elaine Morrall, a mum-of-four, died because she couldn't afford to put the heating on her family have claimed, as her Universal Credit benefits were stopped because she was too ill to attend a meeting.

The 38-year-old, who suffered from mental health problems and an eating disorder was found wrapped in a coat and scarf at her home in Runcorn, the Liverpool Echo has reported.

Ms Morrall's heartbroken mum Linda claims her daughter only switched the heating on when her children got home from school.

In an open letter posted to Facebook - which has been widely shared on social media - Linda slammed the government for "killing vulnerable people".

Linda wrote: "My daughter lived in Boston Ave. She died on the afternoon of 2 November, 2017 at home on her own. She was 38yrs[sic].

"In the cold with her coat & scarf on. Because she wouldn't put her heating on until her kids came home from school. Why?? Because she couldn't afford it. Because she was severely depressed. Suffered from eating disorder & many other problems for many years.

The open letter Elaine's mum posted on Facebook

"Mainly due to authoritarians of one form or another. I can give you details. Was in & out of hospital in recent months in intensive care.

"But was deemed not ill enough for ESA [Employment and Support Allowwance]. Had her benefits stopped numerous times, which in turn stopped her housing benefit.

"No income but expected to be able to pay full rent. Was told being in intensive care was not sufficient reason for failing to attend a universal credit interview. I went to the job centre to inform them that she couldn’t attend. But benefits stopped again.

"Uncaring housing taking her to court. She's due to go to court on Monday. Is being dead now enough reason? Is that what's had to happen to prove she was ill? How many people have got to die before this government realises they are killing vulnerable people??

"What are you and your fellow councillors going to do to protect your constituents?"

Have you an ESA or Universal Credit story to share? Email us at editorial@burtonmail.co.uk

The statement has been shared widely by thousands of people online who are appalled at the incident - with many saying they were 'shocked and appalled' and asking: "Why is this allowed to happen?"

Facebook user Pat Winters said: "FUMING !!! such a sad loss of life. A mum died alone and cold in her freezing home after her benefits were stopped because she was too ill to attend a meeting, according to her grieving family."

Another, Andrew Coates, said "At Ipswich Unemployed Action we get used to bad stories, written on our site by people who've undergone really bad treatment by the DWP/Private Providers and above all because of Universal Credit. But this one is the most heart-rending ever."

Welfare Weekly also ran the story under the headline: "How many have to die before this Government realises they're killing vulnerable people".

WHAT IS UNIVERSAL CREDIT?

Halton MP Derek Twigg , who is now working with the family, said: "It is a very tragic case and I am providing assistance to my constituent."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with Ms Morrall’s family at this difficult time.

"We understand that people can’t always attend appointments, which is why we will re-arrange alternative times.

"Assessment decisions are made with consideration of all the information provided, including supporting evidence from a GP or medical specialist. Anyone who disagrees with a decision can appeal."

Jonathan Horsfall, Halton Housing Trust debt recovery manager, said: "We always follow strict procedures around arrears. We strive to find solutions with our customers and have intensive support workers who enable us to do so where possible.

"Our support services are on offer to those who we know are in arrears, and are always reached out to for support. If customers are concerned about arrears we always encourage anyone to get in touch with us as early as possible in the arrears process so we can do all we can to help."

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Universal Credit forces families into 'spiral of debt'

MirrorOnline has extensively reported in the past on how damaging the introduction of Universal Credit has become for many families.

Last month a damning study revealed it has forced families into a “spiral of debt” as their rent arrears soar by £115 each.

Two councils behind the report begged Theresa May to shorten six-week waits for payment - or risk a "catastrophe" for the poor.

In the biggest study of its kind so far, the Smith Institute think tank examined 775 rent accounts in London’s Southwark and Croydon, two early boroughs to adopt the benefit.

It found that 20 weeks after moving onto UC, the average claimant had £156 of arrears - despite being in credit at a similar stage in the old Housing Benefit.

On October 19, the Mirror reported mum-to-be Keeley Sheppard, 20, was devastated to find that her payments had been stopped almost entirely - and without warning.

Ms Sheppard was 29 weeks pregnant and about to move into a new home. The change meant she would have to survive on just a penny a month.

Earlier this month, the Mirror reported a mum-of-two had been forced by Universal Credit delays to choose between gas and electricity while relying on footbanks to feed her children.

Penelope Goodfellow described how for six months she and her children - Louie, 15 and Marnie, 17 - had to survive on her part-time wage of less than £200 a month.

Mrs Goodfellow, a full-time carer, also discovered that her child benefit payments were going to her former partner, who has nothing to do with her children.

Last month a grieving dad also told how he was driven to the brink of suicide by the "chaotic" universal credit system.

Steve Pogson, from Manchester, suffered a breakdown last year and has tried twice since then to claim benefits designed for people too unwell to work.

But the 50-year-old says he was was left feeling suicidal when faced with the new Universal Credit roll-out where he says he experienced confusion, contradictory advice, endless expensive phone calls and repeated delays.

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