Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Freud (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 May 2011.

Benefits

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 12 May (WA 229–31), what percentage of drug addicts and alcoholics they estimate will be reformed and what percentage will never be employable; what assessment they have made of the effect of paying drug addicts and alcoholics higher rates of benefits because of associated illnesses on the continuation of their addictions; and whether they will consider limiting the levels of benefits paid to such addicts regardless of any associated illnesses.

Answer: The Government's Drug Strategy¹ makes clear that recovery is not just about tackling dependency but about enabling people successfully to enter into sustainable employment and reintegrate into their communities. Therefore, the Government will offer benefit claimants with a drug or alcohol dependency a choice between support to overcome their addiction and rigorous enforcement of the conditions for benefit receipt, including sanctions for non-compliance. The Government are increasingly moving away from a model of payment for process to payment by results—this includes treatment and employment outcomes. While a person's addiction may have led to unemployment or may have caused or exacerbated a medical condition, benefit payments are never made, or paid at an increased rate, solely because a person is dependent on drugs or alcohol. "¹ http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/drug-strategy-2010/ ““Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug-free life”” 8 December 2010"

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 9318; 727 c400WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Benefits
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Alcoholic drinks Drugs Misuse Social security benefits Rehabilitation
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk