She never even mentioned the term ‘intentional deprivation of property’ – which is the phrase in the regulations that underlines the basis of the council’s refusal to pay benefits. They could probably justify a car on the grounds of mobility and social life and white goods or adaptations to their living accommodation.

What this case does is give a negative impression of the vast majority of benefit claimants and erodes the ability of citizens to access advice for meritorious benefits claims from CABx, advice centres, law centres and welfare rights units. A better listing may be to highlight the lack of protection for private tenants facing disrepair issues – as featured in Radio 4 ‘Policing The Landlords’.