Mum-of-four found dead in ‘mouldy’ Tameside home after being ‘wrongly pursued’ over benefits debt

A ‘desperate’ mum-of-four ‘frustrated’ by the benefits and housing systems was found dead at her Tameside home, having taken her own life. Karen McBride, 46, struggled with ‘uninhabitable’ living conditions while being chased over council tax and benefit debts that her relatives claim she did not have.

McBride - who was a prominent and respected anti-poverty campaigner - took her own life in August last year after a lengthy battle with local council and benefits bosses left her feeling ‘helpless’.

Speaking at an inquest at Stockport Coroner’s Court, the family of McBride claimed the ‘failings of multiple agencies led to her death’. A notable statement from Karen’s daughter, Codie, reads: “My mum was a victim of systemic abuse - which is the complete neglect towards a whole class of people in this country.

“This happens when funding is cut to vital services, ineffective procedures are adopted by agencies and an institutionalised poor perception towards those who are in receipt of benefits or living on the breadline is adopted.”

Karen moved into her home in Stalybridge, Tameside, Greater Manchester, in 2019 after her original property was put up for sale by the landlord. Her new home - which was managed by Jigsaw Homes - was in a dire state of repair with pigeon nests falling through the ceiling.

Additionally, the inquest heard the property had a live wire hanging from the master bedroom ceiling; damp in numerous bedrooms; mouldy walls; a leaking roof and boiler; a hole in the floor where ‘you could see through to outside’; a leaking roof; a leaking boiler and a bird trapped in the chimney, the inquest heard.

Codie added: “On one occasion, when a contractor came around to deal with the damage to the ceiling in my brother’s bedroom, pigeon nests were falling onto his floor from the ceiling. When mum was moving her things from the storage unit into the house, the man who delivered the items said ‘I wouldn’t even let a dog live here’.”

Karen’s daughter told the inquest that her mother didn’t want to accept the tenancy and had enquired about numerous properties but no one would accept a tenant in receipt of benefits.

“She sought advice from the local authority and was advised to declare herself homeless in order to be prioritised for rehousing with the local housing association, Jigsaw,” Code said.

The family of McBride claimed that Tameside Council were ‘chasing her for thousands of pounds worth of debt’’ shortly after she had settled into the home.

Ms McBride - who was said to be on antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication - complained to Jigsaw Homes in January 2020 about the house, saying she was “struggling to cope and cannot do this anymore”, the inquest was told.

The inquest heard last year, Ms McBride received a letter from Tameside Council notifying her that her housing benefit had been suspended due to her adult son affecting her entitlement.

Codie added that this turned out to be an error which Tameside Council claims was due to a miscommunication with the DWP. However, Samantha Smith, head of the national operations hub at the DWP, said: “At no point did Karen’s entitlements cease.”

Coroner Mr Morris highlighted that Ms McBride didn’t show to have “sustained intention” to take her own life. He described the mum-of-four’s death as an “impulsive act whilst under the influence of alcohol”.

Codie said in her statement: “My mum was a kind, compassionate person who took the time to listen to everybody. She cared so much about others. She cared so much for us, her four children, who she worshipped.

“She instilled in us honourable traits, such as integrity and kindness. She was an awe-inspiring and powerful woman. She was a great teacher with a strong moral compass.

“My mum’s ethos was compassion and kindness. She gave it out so freely, you would never know she had been given so little of it by others.”