Docking alcoholics’ benefits fundamentally inhumane - Webb

3.45.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 14th Apr 2009

Commenting on new Government plans to dock alcoholics’ benefits if they do not get treatment, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb said: “Threatening to deprive people of their basic benefits unless they recover from alcoholism is fundamentally inhumane."

"There are far too few support services for alcoholics, and there is no evidence that people who are threatened in this way are more likely to seek help.

"This is no more than typical New Labour posturing."