Written question asked by Mike Weatherley (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 November 2010. It was answered by Maria Miller (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 December 2010 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the likely effects on problem drug users in receipt of benefits of his proposed changes to the benefits system.

Answer: Our aim is to increase the number of drug and alcohol dependent benefit claimants who successfully engage with treatment and rehabilitation services and ultimately find employment, which is a key contributor to a sustained recovery.Our welfare reforms will support this strategy by making sure that work always pays.As announced in the Drug Strategy, ““Reducing Demand, Restricting Supply, Building Recovery: Supporting People to Live a Drug Free Life”” which was published on 8 December 2010 (a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library) the Government will take a holistic approach to helping benefit claimants beat their drug and alcohol dependency, so they have every chance of competing in today's labour market.Benefit claimants who decide to go into treatment will be offered every support to help overcome their addiction. Those who refuse treatment will still be able to claim unemployment benefits but, if as a consequence they are unable to comply with the normal conditions for receipt of benefits, they will face the same sanctions as every other jobseeker.

Secondary information