Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of benefit claimants in (a) Dudley, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England were receiving treatment for drug or alcohol addiction in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Jobcentre Plus staff have access to specific on-line guidance to help them deal with benefit claimants suffering from drug and/or alcohol addictions. The guidance details the wide range of help and support available to claimants with drug and/or alcohol dependency. It helps staff identify these claimants and advises how they can encourage disclosure in order to support the individual in their journey towards employment and sustained recovery.

Staff also have access to available provision and specialist support, both nationally and locally, for drug and/or alcohol dependent claimants.

Jobcentre Plus supports people with drug and/or alcohol addictions by:

· referring people (who are not in treatment) to a voluntary discussion with a local treatment provider;

· recognising the implications of treatment for drug and/or alcohol dependency upon a claimant’s availability for work;

· building strong and effective relationships with external partners;

· delivering case conferencing, with claimants, their treatment key workers, and Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches to discuss a joined-up approach to achieve a route-way into employment; and

· offering early access to the Work Programme where they can receive flexible and personalised support to return to work.