UK government to strip serious offenders in hospitals of benefits

The UK government has announced plans to strip serious offenders, including killers and sex offenders, of state benefits while they are detained in psychiatric hospitals. The move aims to close a loophole known as ‘double provision,’ which allowed individuals receiving NHS treatment to also collect up to £800 a month in Universal Credit.

New regulations laid in Parliament intend to prevent these offenders from receiving taxpayer-funded welfare while their bed and board are already covered by the NHS. The changes are expected to save the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds annually and are scheduled to come into force early next year, pending parliamentary approval.

The decision follows a campaign by the families of victims killed by Valdo Calocane, who is serving an indefinite hospital order for the 2023 Nottingham killings. Emma Webber and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, parents of two of the victims, welcomed the announcement, stating that the previous system was a ‘disgrace’ and that the change provides necessary accountability and fairness.