Alcoholics and benefits.
Laura Kuenssberg files this copy: (we hope to be speaking to Mr Purnell tonight on the programme. If you have any thoughts, and especially experience in this area, drop us an email or leave a comment)
"Alcoholics could face having their benefits docked if they don't get treatment for their problem. The work and pensions minister, James Purnell, is announcing an government review with the Department of Health to look at the idea. Measures that require drug addicts to get treatment in order to keep receiving benefits are currently going through parliament, but Mr Purnell wants to consult on the extending the idea to people with alcohol problems.
On a visit to Dewsbury Moor this afternoon he'll say,
"We have introduced a new policy that will mean heroin and crack addicts get treatment in return for benefits. We will actually help them rather than simply handing them money which ends up in pockets of drug dealers.
"But we can't abandon anyone to long periods on benefits without help to overcome problems. So that's why we are going to look at the arrangements for alcoholics on benefits, just as we did for problem drug users, so that people get the help they need to get sober, to get their life back and get back to work.""
RSS feed
Email us
Listen to PM
Comments