Skip to Content

Obese and Addicts to lose benefits?

A Government review has ordered that those claiming benefits because they are Obese or addicted to drugs or alcohol could lose their benefits if they refuse help.

Interesting concept, one which we are sure will win favour with many at election time, but it has been criticised by some stating that the government are not taking the problem of addiction seriously, and that these type of draconian measures did not work in the Victorian times and they will not work now, the threat of removing benefits will not snap someone out of a long term condition.

The Prime Minister stated that those claiming as a result of lifestyle choices should not be able to claim unless they were receiving help to overcome any problems, for many with a treatable condition they have chosen a life on benefits rather than help and in the future a return to work.

Meanwhile those working and paying taxes are funding the benefits for those who refuse help.

The present situation.

At the moment almost 100,000 people fall in to the category of claiming sickness benefits because of dependency or obesity.

There are not any requirements for anyone claiming to undertake treatment, on a wider note of the 2.5 million people claiming sickness benefits; around 1.5 million have been doing so for over five years.

The government have asked for a review and plan on how to treat claimants so they can return to work.

For some the welfare reforms are seen as a moral mission but some see them as punitive.

We will know more when the review is published, as there are a number of areas that will only be clarified with the inclusion of details such as when will the benefits be stopped, what will happen to the claimant then and how will a claimants' progress be monitored?

In theory the proposals have some logic but in practice, it may be a very different thing.


Image Description
related news
recent articles
Bankruptcy Guide

Bankruptcy Guide - Understand how you become bankrupt and what ha..

link

Bankruptcy Guide

Bankruptcy Guide - Understand how you become bankrupt and what happens to you..

Welfare Solicitors

Welfare Solicitors...

Welfare Solicitors

Welfare Solicitors...

link
Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top