North Somerset needs ‘extra help’ to combat alcoholism, it has been claimed, after new figures revealed a ‘worrying’ number of people receive disability benefits due to alcohol misuse.

The number of people in the district who claim incapacity payments or employment and support allowance with alcohol misuse listed as the main disabling condition is almost double the national average.

About 513 people claim benefits for this reason and Weston’s Central ward councillor Mike Bell has condemned Government cuts to public health funding, citing it as one of North Somerset’s biggest challenges.

He told the Mercury: “The number of people in North Somerset living with an alcohol dependency is worrying. The Government has made significant cuts to public health funding, including support for alcohol treatment programmes, and this makes it harder for North Somerset Council and its partners to tackle this issue effectively.

“The Government must wake up to the challenge and target extra help to areas like North Somerset that most need it.”

While the figures have fallen slightly, in 2014 50 people died due to alcohol-related illnesses and there were 22 alcohol-related traffic accidents in the district.

Peter Smith, development manager at Weston’s Broadway Lodge rehabilitation centre, says funding changes have impacted on recent treatment referrals.

Mr Smith said: “My first response is that I have noticed a decline in referrals in the past few months.

“This indicates that funding has been withdrawn. All care needs to be done properly and my concern is by cutting costs, the care is not as safe or effective.

“I am concerned by the statistics. If people are using other areas that are cheaper, I have to raise the question why? And, of course, you get what you pay for.”

Drug and alcohol charity Addaction told the Mercury it is important to focus on being compassionate towards people suffering with addiction.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Addiction affects people from all walks of life. Focusing on the benefits claims of people affected by addiction is unhelpful and stigmatises people who need support, compassion, treatment, and hope.”