If it were possible to help those people who have been on long-term benefits to become well again and fit for work, no-one seems to be able to explain WHERE the jobs would come from. In this region (East Anglia) jobs are very hard to come by, especially unskilled ones. The unemployed should also be helped with courses and re-training so they can look for jobs with vacancies. They should also be given support by mentors and health workers while they readjust to a working life. And prospective employers should be offered incentives to take them on, otherwise they probably won't be interested in someone who's been off work for a long time with problems. And I totally agree that folk with alcohol, drug-addiction etc are NOT TO BLAME for their predicament. I met many young men while Prison Visiting who had addictions, and their lives as children and youngsters would make ones hair stand on end; abuse, neglect, violence, the lot. Also, the Human Genome Project has unearthed several genes for addiction. If one is born with these, one will be predisposed to becoming an addict, either to food, alcohol, gambling or drugs. I say, 'There but for the grace of God...'