Hundreds in Shropshire claim benefits over alcohol and drugs

Hundreds of people in Shropshire are unable to work because of their addiction to drugs or alcohol, new figures reveal.

According to the Government, more than 500 people in the county are affected.

The figures say they are claiming some form of benefits because of their addictions.

This includes 280 people who are claiming incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance because of alcohol or drug abuse.

A further 140 are claiming employment and support allowance, while another 110 are claiming disability living allowance.

Almost 40,000 people across the country claim incapacity benefit, with alcoholism declared as their 'primary diagnosis'. Of these, 13,500 have been claiming for a decade or more.

There are about 160,000 'dependent drinkers' in England who receive one or more of the main benefits, the Department for Work and Pensions figures show.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said the Government was helping help people at treatment centres.

"There should also be a review of the legal prescribing of methadone which has multiple costs for the taxpayer and questionable benefits for users," he added.

Both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils said they were working with organisations, to deal with drug and alcohol problems.