SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESS NOTICE

Date: 15th March 2010

CONSULTATION: The Social Security (Welfare Reform Drugs Recovery Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010

The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider proposals for the Social Security (Welfare Reform Drugs Recovery Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010. The regulations would introduce a pilot that would run for two years. The pilot regulations would allow the Secretary of State to:

• Require claimants to attend a two part Substance Related Assessment (SRA) where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they are dependent on, or have a propensity to misuse, a proscribed drug;
• Require claimants who have failed to attend an SRA on two occasions to attend one or more drugs tests;
• Require claimants to comply with a mandatory rehabilitation plan that would include a requirement for claimants to participate in a motivational programme and take steps to reduce or eliminate their problem drug use (claimants cannot be compelled to undergo treatment).

The pilot regulations would also allow the sharing of data for the purposes of identifying problem drug users. Claimants who enter treatment on a voluntary basis may be transferred from JSA to a Treatment Allowance that is designed to give them the opportunity to address their barriers to work.

Before the Committee considers and reports on these proposals, it would like to hear from organisations and individuals who have views.

Those wishing to make representations to the Committee may obtain a copy of the Department’s explanatory memorandum and a copy of the draft regulations from the Secretary to the Committee, Gill Saunders (0207 962 8345) or download a copy here in PDF format.

Representations should be sent to the Committee at Level Three, Adelphi building, 1-11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT, or by email to ssac@dwp.gsi.gov.uk, or via the consultation response facility, to arrive no later than 12th April 2010.

Note for Editors:

The SSAC is the main UK advisory body for all social security matters except those relating to industrial injuries, war pensions, occupational pensions, and National Insurance contributions. Most proposals for social security regulations have to be submitted to the SSAC before they are made. When the Committee reports on regulations, the report is laid before Parliament with the regulations and a statement from the Secretary of State responding to any recommendations the Committee has made.