This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33698317

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Review begins into benefits for drug and alcohol addicts Review begins into benefits for drug and alcohol addicts
(about 2 hours later)
Drug and alcohol addicts could lose their sickness benefits if they refuse treatment under a review now under way.Drug and alcohol addicts could lose their sickness benefits if they refuse treatment under a review now under way.
Medical expert Dame Carol Black is to examine the support given to addicts - and obese people - on sickness benefits to "better support them in work".Medical expert Dame Carol Black is to examine the support given to addicts - and obese people - on sickness benefits to "better support them in work".
David Cameron, who ordered the review, says there is no requirement for such groups to undertake treatment and has suggested that could change. David Cameron, who ordered the review, says there is currently no requirement for such groups to undertake treatment and suggested that this could change.
Opposition parties called for a focus on better treatment and help to work. But one Tory MP said it was "ethically unacceptable" to coerce people.
The idea of requiring drug users to seek treatment or lose their benefits was first suggested by the last Labour government although it was not adopted following a consultation.The idea of requiring drug users to seek treatment or lose their benefits was first suggested by the last Labour government although it was not adopted following a consultation.
During the last Parliament, the Conservatives floated extending the concept of sanctions to those with serious alcohol conditions and the clinically obese but the idea was not pursued by the coalition government.During the last Parliament, the Conservatives floated extending the concept of sanctions to those with serious alcohol conditions and the clinically obese but the idea was not pursued by the coalition government.
Options consideredOptions considered
In February, the prime minister said he would ask Dame Carol to examine the support that the 90,000 drug and alcohol addicts estimated by the government to be on sickness benefits get, a pledge included in the party's election manifesto.In February, the prime minister said he would ask Dame Carol to examine the support that the 90,000 drug and alcohol addicts estimated by the government to be on sickness benefits get, a pledge included in the party's election manifesto.
Ministers said on Wednesday that the review was under way and is calling for evidence by 11 September.Ministers said on Wednesday that the review was under way and is calling for evidence by 11 September.
Dame Carol, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians who advises the Department of Health on improving the welfare of working people, will look at the support given to those with drink and drug-related illnesses in employment or seeking to return to work.Dame Carol, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians who advises the Department of Health on improving the welfare of working people, will look at the support given to those with drink and drug-related illnesses in employment or seeking to return to work.
She said she wanted to speak to addicts and employers as part of the exercise. It will examine a range of options, including the case for linking benefit entitlements to the take-up of appropriate treatment.She said she wanted to speak to addicts and employers as part of the exercise. It will examine a range of options, including the case for linking benefit entitlements to the take-up of appropriate treatment.
"It will be important to identify the most cost effective treatments and programmes both here and internationally; and how employment support services, health care, and the benefits system, interact to provide support," she said."It will be important to identify the most cost effective treatments and programmes both here and internationally; and how employment support services, health care, and the benefits system, interact to provide support," she said.
While support and treatment would continue to be provided for everyone, Mr Cameron said the system had to look at what to do when addicts simply refused help and expected taxpayers to continue funding their benefits.While support and treatment would continue to be provided for everyone, Mr Cameron said the system had to look at what to do when addicts simply refused help and expected taxpayers to continue funding their benefits.
Critics have warned the move could lead to a rise in crime and prostitution as addicts look elsewhere for money while medical experts have said forcing the obese to go on compulsory weight loss programmes rarely worked. 'Coercion for consent'
'Air of suspicion' But Sarah Wollaston, the Conservative chair of the Commons Health Select Committee and a former GP, said the government must proceed with caution if it wanted to directly link welfare payments to medical treatment.
"It is a form of coercion for consent," she told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire Show.
"I think that is ethically unacceptable. I think it would be very difficult for any doctor to take part in treating a patient without valid consent and this would invalidate their consent if it was linked to conditionality to benefits. After all, it would not be effective - we know coerced treatments tend not to work."
Labour said that despite the government's rhetoric fewer than one in ten sick and disabled people on the government's flagship welfare-to-work scheme had found permanent employment.Labour said that despite the government's rhetoric fewer than one in ten sick and disabled people on the government's flagship welfare-to-work scheme had found permanent employment.
"It's time for David Cameron to put in place real support to help sick and disabled people back to work so they can earn a living," said Kate Green, shadow minister for disabled people.
And the Lib Dems said those suffering from such illnesses needed to be shown more compassion.And the Lib Dems said those suffering from such illnesses needed to be shown more compassion.
"It is entirely right we make sure people suffering alcohol, drug or weight-related problems get effective help and support. But Tories need to realise: not everyone is a scrounger," a party spokesman said."It is entirely right we make sure people suffering alcohol, drug or weight-related problems get effective help and support. But Tories need to realise: not everyone is a scrounger," a party spokesman said.
"They would rather treat people with an air of suspicion and frogmarch them to therapy with a threat to strip away lifeline benefits than work on ways to help.""They would rather treat people with an air of suspicion and frogmarch them to therapy with a threat to strip away lifeline benefits than work on ways to help."
But campaign group, the Taxpayers Alliance, welcomed the move, saying access to treatment and benefits "need not be mutually exclusive".But campaign group, the Taxpayers Alliance, welcomed the move, saying access to treatment and benefits "need not be mutually exclusive".
"We must provide a sturdy safety net for the most vulnerable, but taxpayers can't continue to fund benefits for people who show no inclination or effort to get back into employment," said its chief executive Jonathan Isaby."We must provide a sturdy safety net for the most vulnerable, but taxpayers can't continue to fund benefits for people who show no inclination or effort to get back into employment," said its chief executive Jonathan Isaby.
"It is paths to treatment - and personal responsibility - that will get people off the benefit rolls and into work.""It is paths to treatment - and personal responsibility - that will get people off the benefit rolls and into work."