A good welfare proposal

The lovies are out after news that the Home Office is considering whether people dependent on drugs and alcohol who refuse treatment could have their welfare benefits withdrawn. Under the plans, addicts who failed to attend a treatment awareness programme would lose welfare benefits.

Seems fair enough. Welfare is intended as a hand up, not a cushion.

In May, reports the BBC, the Social Security Advisory Committee - an independent statutory body - said withdrawing benefits from drug users would lead them into crime and prostitution. And now

Martin Barnes, chief executive of charity DrugScope, said he "seriously questioned" whether linking benefit sanctions to a requirement to undergo medical treatment was fair and effective.

He told the BBC's Radio 4's Today programme there was no evidence that such an approach would for work for a "particularly vulnerable and marginalised group".

"Also, we have to bear in mind that under the principles that are enshrined in the NHS Constitution, medical intervention should be therapeutic, consensual, confidential - and I just don't see that's compatible with using the benefits system to require people to undergo a complex form of drug treatment intervention," he added.

But taxpayers' money should not be available indefinitely to drug and alcohol abusers.

People who live on our money must be prepared to let the state check on them.