The Government are claiming victory because of a fall in the number of benefit tribunal hearings. Today, the Express boasts:

“A HUGE drop in the number of people appealing against benefit decisions at tribunal hearings was yesterday hailed as a victory for the Government’s reforms.”

Actually, it’s a victory for the Government’s tyranny.

There were 32,546 tribunal cases between January and March this year, compared to 155,000 in the same period of 2013.

“Official figures” reveal an 89 per cent fall in people contesting the decisions to cut, deny or restrict Employment Support Allowance (ESA), long-term sickness and disability benefits.

Tribunals contesting Jobseeker’s Allowance decisions also fell 70 per cent this year.

Disability minister Mike Penning said: “Fewer appeals going to tribunal is welcome. Getting more decisions right first time avoids the need for protracted tribunal appeals.”

Under the Department for Work and Pensions reforms officials look…