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Benefits and Employment: How Problem Drug Users Experience Welfare and Routes into Work

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 July 2012

LINDA BAULD ,
JENNIFER MCKELL ,
COLIN CARROLL ,
GORDON HAY  and
KATHERINE SMITH
LINDA BAULD
Affiliation:
University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA email: [email protected]
JENNIFER MCKELL
Affiliation:
University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA email: [email protected]
COLIN CARROLL
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ email: [email protected], [email protected]
GORDON HAY
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ email: [email protected], [email protected]
KATHERINE SMITH
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Increasing the conditionality of welfare benefits is a growing trend in many developed countries, particularly in relation to some groups who may be perceived as undeserving of state support. Problem drug users (PDUs) are one such group, and in the UK most PDUs do not work and a high proportion claim benefits. Facilitating the movement of these individuals into employment is a policy aim, because it is believed to improve the circumstances of drug users (and promote future abstinence) and because moving all groups off benefits and into work is a primary purpose of recent welfare reforms. Yet little is known about the interactions of PDUs with the UK benefits system or how recent moves to increase the conditionality of benefits are likely to affect this vulnerable group. This paper begins to address this gap by exploring the perceptions that PDUs and relevant frontline staff have of drug users’ interactions with the welfare system and the factors affecting their prospects for employment. The findings suggest some aspects of recent welfare reforms, notably the simplification of benefits, may help PDUs interact with the system. However, the data also reinforce claims that the increased use of sanctions is unlikely to succeed in improving employment rates amongst this group without intensive support and demand-side interventions.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 41 , Issue 4 , October 2012 , pp. 751 - 768
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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