Serious criminals in hospital to lose benefit payments

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 00:15 · Archive

The government will strip benefits from serious criminals detained in psychiatric hospitals, closing a loophole that allowed them to claim up to £800 monthly.

The government has confirmed action to end 'double provision', a mechanism that allows serious criminals detained in psychiatric hospitals to claim universal credit for living costs already covered by the taxpayer through the NHS. Regulations laid in parliament on Tuesday aim to close this loophole, preventing offenders from receiving up to £800 monthly and saving an estimated tens of millions of pounds annually.

Whilst prisoners are banned from claiming state benefits, convicted criminals receiving treatment in psychiatric hospitals remain eligible for welfare. The proposed change affects around 2,500 offenders already detained in hospital.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: 'For too long these violent criminals have had their living costs paid by the taxpayer twice over, while their victims and families paid the price. That ends today because victims and taxpayers deserve a system that is fair and supports only those who genuinely need it.'

The government's decision followed consultation with experts and victims' families as part of a strategy to 'put fairness back at the heart of the welfare system'. Parents of Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley Kumar, who were killed by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham in 2023, welcomed the announcement. Calocane was convicted of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.

Emma Webber, Barnaby's mother, said: 'This is long overdue, and simply the right thing to do. It was a disgrace that Calocane and offenders like him have ever received taxpayers' money. A hospital bed does not erase the egregious crimes committed, nor the destruction they have caused. Closing this loophole finally delivers some basic accountability that victims deserve.' Dr Sanjoy Kumar, Grace's father, said the campaign had 'always been about accountability and fairness'.

How it is being reported

• Nottingham knife attack killer no longer allowed to claim benefits as loophole finally closedThe government will put legislation forward on Tuesday to prevent killers and serious sex offenders being entitled to Universal Credit while they are detained in hospital - a move welcomed by victims' familiesThe Mirror · 20 Oct, 00:07
• Criminals in psychiatric wards to lose 'disgraceful' right to benefits - which saw £800 a month in Universal Credit handed to killers in hospitalNew rules will close a loophole which allows offenders who are detained in hospital rather than in jail to collect more than £800 a month in universal credit.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 00:01
• Criminals in London hospitals face benefits ban under new government rulesThe move follows years of campaigning by victims’ families who have called for an end to the so-called ‘double provision’ loopholeEvening Standard · 20 Oct, 00:01
• Criminals detained in hospital to be stripped of benefits, government saysRegulations laid in parliament on Tuesday seek to close the loophole and prevent serious criminals receiving up to £800 a month in universal credit over several yearsThe Independent · 20 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Valdo Calocane · Barnaby Webber · Grace O'Malley Kumar · Emma Webber · Pat McFadden · Nottingham

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem