Government apologises two years after brother killed himself when benefits cut
A sister who received a Government apology after her brother committed suicide when his benefits were cut says she hopes lessons have been learned.
Linda Cooksey finally brought a two-year battle to a close when two departments personally wrote to her to say sorry.
Mrs Cooksey's brother, Tim Salter, took his own life two years ago when he was threatened with eviction from his home in Meddins Lane.
South Staffordshire's coroner Andrew Haigh previously ruled the sizeable reduction in Mr Salter's benefits had been a 'major factor in his death' and the 53-year-old, who was partially sighted and suffered from mental health problems, had been left 'almost destitute when threatened with repossession of his home'.
Mrs Cooksey, who found her brother hanging in his own home, said although the battle had been long she hoped people facing similar problems would know where to get help.
She said: "I have heard through social media that groups like mental health charity, Mind, are now getting more people contacting them for help following this case.
