Criminals detained in hospital set to lose benefits
The UK government is introducing new regulations to stop serious criminals detained in hospitals from receiving universal credit benefits. The move aims to close a loophole that allows offenders to collect state funds while their living costs are already covered by the NHS.
Why it matters
It addresses public concerns regarding taxpayer funding for convicted criminals and reflects a shift in policy toward fiscal accountability for incarcerated individuals.
Image source, Nottinghamshire Police Image caption, The families of the victims of killer Valdo Calocane had been calling for his benefits to be stopped
Killers and serious sex offenders detained in hospital are among the criminals who will no longer receive benefits under proposals called for by victims' families.
Regulations due to be laid in Parliament on Tuesday seek to end the "double provision" and prevent serious criminals receiving up to £800 a month in universal credit over several years while already having their bed and board funded through the NHS while receiving psychiatric treatment.
The government said closing the loophole would save an estimated tens of millions of pounds annually.
The parents of Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley Kumar, who were killed by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham in 2023, welcomed the announcement.
The new regulations are expected to come into force early next year, subject to Parliamentary approval.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in