Government Ends Benefits for Serious Offenders in Psychiatric Care
New regulations target individuals in hospital for grave crimes, affecting thousands and aiming for significant savings.
Sarah Connor
The government is ending a mechanism that allowed serious criminals receiving hospital psychiatric treatment to collect living expense benefits.
The new rules cover offenses like manslaughter, attempted murder, wounding with intent, rape, assault by penetration, and the rape of a child under 13.
This change impacts approximately 2,500 offenders currently hospitalized. An additional 200 individuals will be affected annually. Murder is excluded, as hospital orders do not apply to that specific offense.
This move is projected to save tens of millions of pounds each year. The Government will publish the full financial impacts as part of the 2026 budget on October 28.
A hospital bed does not erase the egregious crimes committed, nor the destruction they have caused.
Emma Webber declared, "It was a disgrace that Calocane and offenders like him have ever received taxpayers’ money." She added, "A hospital bed does not erase the egregious crimes committed, nor the destruction they have caused."
Pat McFadden affirmed, "We said we’d act to tackle this gross unfairness and we’re delivering on that promise." He further stated, "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."
Killers and rapists should not pocket benefits from a hospital bed.
Dr Sanjoy Kumar highlighted, "Our campaign has always been about accountability and fairness." He also noted, "On the principle of fairness alone, we do not see why taxpayers should fund benefits while they are incarcerated."
Helen Whately asserted, "Killers and rapists should not pocket benefits from a hospital bed." She claims Labour has taken all year to stop a loophole it promised to close.
Linda Westcarr commented, "I believe it is right that the government reviews benefit entitlement for those who have committed the most serious offences, particularly where public money, funded by taxpayers, is involved." She added that for many victims' families, the question of whether serious offenders should continue to receive benefits raises understandable concerns about fairness, accountability and the values upheld as a society.
This decision will not affect people currently detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 who have not committed any offense.