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New benefits policy to target problem drinkers
ALCOHOLICS may lose their benefits unless they take steps to battle the booze, the Government announced today.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell used a visit to Yorkshire to announce the new policy, which could see persistent alcoholics made destitute unless they seek help.
Speaking in Dewsbury Moor, just streets away from where Karen Matthews plotted the kidnap of her daughter Shannon last year, Mr Purnell said the new policy followed on from similar work to force heroin and crack cocaine users away from drugs.
"We can't abandon anyone to long periods on benefits without help to overcome problems," he said.
"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."
He said that work was at an early stage but that it would affect all people on benefits and not target any particular class.
But so-called "middle class drinkers" who enjoy a glass of wine every evening would not necessarily be penalised, if the recession forced them on to benefits, as research has yet to be carried out into what level of drinking constitutes alcoholism.
Mr Purnell added: "We are providing real help for people looking for work and support for all those who need it to get off benefits - whatever the barriers preventing them. We need to look through the eyes of the person defeated by an addiction that keeps them out of work and on the outside of the community and give them the help they need."
The policy is at an early stage and will not be rolled out until the research is conducted by Glasgow University and an internal review is conducted by the Departments of Health and for Work and Pensions to explore how the benefits system can be made to work effectively for alcoholics.
Full story in Wednesday's Yorkshire Post.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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