Welfare Reform Bill

Part of the debate – in a Public Bill Committee at 12:00 pm on 12 February 2009.

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Sharon White: There are already a number of people who come to Jobcentre Plus who indicate that they have some drug issue, so we have confidence in our personal advisers. The key thing is that the Jobcentre Plus adviser will not be the expert referring such people to the treatment programme; where there is a suspicion that drug use is the main barrier to work, the adviser will refer that person to a specialised medical officer. As the Minister said, that is taking place on a pilot basis, and in the areas where it is being taken forward, we will, absolutely, give extra training and support to Jobcentre Plus staff.