Alcoholics could lose benefits
By politics.co.uk staff
Alcoholics who fail to get treatment could see their welfare payments docked.
The plans come in a review of welfare by the Department of Health and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Welfare secretary James Purnell said: “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.”
The programme, which was trialled in the United States but saw poverty worsen among vulnerable groups, was instantly criticised by support groups.
The Conservatives say labour have failed to “get to grips” with welfare reform.
