Teenager looking for work killed himself after being 'belittled' by Jobcentre staff

Deparment for Work and Pensions will be asked to review the case

David Brown, bottom-right, outside Middlesbrough FC's home ground the Riverside (Facebook/David Brown)

A teenager looking for a job killed himself after being “belittled” by Jobcentre staff, an inquest has heard.

David Brown, who was trying to become a welder, was under “immense pressure” from the Department for Work and Pensions, the coroner was told.

The 18-year-old, from North Yorkshire, was allegedly told he would have his benefits stopped unless he did more to find a job, reports Gazette Live.

Shortly before taking his life, he reportedly told his mother: “The way the Jobcentre treat people, it is no surprise people commit suicide.”

His ordeal came to light the day before his body was discovered at his home in Eston by his brother.

“He said he was having a hard time from a woman at the dole,” his sister Grace told the coroner. “He said she was rude and belittled him.”

She added her brother had said “he didn’t want to be a burden” on his family, and had “tried hard to look for work”.

Clare Bailey, Teesside acting Senior Coroner, ruled he took his own life on 3 October 2016.

David Lidington, Conservative Leader of the House – who was standing in for Theresa May at Prime Minister’s Questions – revealed on Wednesday he would ask the Government to review the case.

He was responding after Labour MP Anna Turley said in the House of Commons: “Will the Leader of the House undertake a review into this individual case?

“Will he also undertake to take stock of six years of brutal welfare reform and look at the way the DWP treats its most vulnerable constituents?”

Mr Lidlington said he had “unreserved sympathy for the family of David Brown”.

"No parent, no family should have to go through that kind of shocking experience," he said.

“Clearly human beings in any organisation sometimes take decisions that get things wrong.

“And I will ask the Work and Pensions Department to have a look at the particular case she has described.”

David was described by his brother as a huge Middlesbrough FC fan and “passionate about every game”.

Shortly after his death, Boro fans held a minute’s applause in the 18th minute in a match against Watford to celebrate the teenager’s life.

A DWP spokesman told The Independent: “Our thoughts are with Mr Brown’s family at this difficult time.

“Suicide is a very complex issue and there is no evidence of a link between Mr Brown’s suicide and his interaction with Jobcentre Plus.”