Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) mental and (b) physical health of those unable to attend addiction recovery groups as a result of 14 September 2020 covid-19 restrictions on meeting in groups of more than six people.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
From 14 September 2020, social gatherings both indoors and outdoors must be limited to six people. However, there are several exemptions to the legal gatherings limit, including for support groups which meet the qualifying conditions.
Support groups can take place in groups of up to 15 people in a COVID-19 secure setting, if the support group is organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support to its members or those who attend its meetings. This includes, but is not limited to, providing support to those with, or recovering from, addictions including alcohol, narcotics or other substance addictions or addictive patterns of behaviour. Further guidance is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do#can-i-go-to-my-support-grouphttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do#can-i-go-to-my-support-group
Asked by: Jim Cunningham (Labour - Coventry South)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2018 to Question 125605, whether his Department plans to commission research to ascertain the number of problem gamblers aged under 18 and under in the UK.
Answered by Tracey Crouch
Protecting children and the vulnerable from being harmed or exploited by gambling is a core objective of the regulation of gambling in Great Britain, and a priority for the government. Operators offering gambling services to people in Great Britain must have a licence from the Gambling Commission and must have effective policies and procedures designed to prevent underage gambling.
The Gambling Commission run an annual survey of gambling behaviour among 11-16 year olds in Great Britain, which gives an estimate of rates of participation in gambling activities and problem gambling. The 2018 survey will include a sample of 17 year olds and is likely to be published later this year.
In August 2017 the Gambling Commission published a report using Health Survey data into gambling behaviour in those aged 16 years old and over.
The 2017 Young People and Gambling report found that 12% of 11-16 year olds had spent their own money on gambling in the week prior to completing the survey, down from 16% in 2016. Although some forms of gambling are legal for 11-16 year olds, for example, betting between friends or on crane grab machines in Family Entertainment Centres, the law is clear that children are not allowed to gamble in pubs, betting offices or bingo halls. Where there is a failure to prevent underage gambling, the Gambling Commission has a range of powers to act, including regulatory and/or criminal action. The Gambling Commission is funded on a cost-recovery basis by licence fees paid by operators.
The majority of dedicated treatment for gambling disorders is administered by the charity GambleAware who commission the National Gambling Helpline and a national network of treatment services, mostly through GamCare. These are available to problem gamblers of any age, including young people. Problem gamblers can also access treatment services in primary and secondary care including specialised mental health services. Local authority commissioned specialist drug and alcohol services may also be able to offer treatment where a service for broader addictions has been specified.
Asked by: Jim Cunningham (Labour - Coventry South)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to Answer of 2 February 2018 to Question 125605, what funding his Department has allocated to (a) reduce the number of 11-16 year olds who participate in gambling activities and (b) support those aged 11-16 who have been identified as problem gamblers.
Answered by Tracey Crouch
Protecting children and the vulnerable from being harmed or exploited by gambling is a core objective of the regulation of gambling in Great Britain, and a priority for the government. Operators offering gambling services to people in Great Britain must have a licence from the Gambling Commission and must have effective policies and procedures designed to prevent underage gambling.
The Gambling Commission run an annual survey of gambling behaviour among 11-16 year olds in Great Britain, which gives an estimate of rates of participation in gambling activities and problem gambling. The 2018 survey will include a sample of 17 year olds and is likely to be published later this year.
In August 2017 the Gambling Commission published a report using Health Survey data into gambling behaviour in those aged 16 years old and over.
The 2017 Young People and Gambling report found that 12% of 11-16 year olds had spent their own money on gambling in the week prior to completing the survey, down from 16% in 2016. Although some forms of gambling are legal for 11-16 year olds, for example, betting between friends or on crane grab machines in Family Entertainment Centres, the law is clear that children are not allowed to gamble in pubs, betting offices or bingo halls. Where there is a failure to prevent underage gambling, the Gambling Commission has a range of powers to act, including regulatory and/or criminal action. The Gambling Commission is funded on a cost-recovery basis by licence fees paid by operators.
The majority of dedicated treatment for gambling disorders is administered by the charity GambleAware who commission the National Gambling Helpline and a national network of treatment services, mostly through GamCare. These are available to problem gamblers of any age, including young people. Problem gamblers can also access treatment services in primary and secondary care including specialised mental health services. Local authority commissioned specialist drug and alcohol services may also be able to offer treatment where a service for broader addictions has been specified.
Asked by: Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department issues to jobcentre staff on dealing with benefit claimants suffering from drug or alcohol addictions.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
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.
Asked by: Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
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.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
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.