The United Kingdom is set to revoke the right to Universal Credit for more than 2,500 serious offenders, including those convicted of murder and sexual assault, who are detained in psychiatric hospitals rather than serving prison sentences. The move aims to close a loophole that allowed these individuals to receive over £800 a month in benefits, totaling significant taxpayer funds over extended hospital orders.
This policy change follows a sustained campaign by the families of victims, notably those affected by the actions of Valdo Calocane. Calocane, who admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility for the June 2023 killings in Nottingham, is currently serving an indefinite hospital order and remains eligible for benefits. His victims included Barnaby Webber, 19; Grace O'Malley Kumar, 19; and Ian Coates.
"It was a disgrace that Calocane and offenders like him have ever received taxpayers' money," said Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber. "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."
Currently, while prisoners are barred from claiming state benefits, individuals receiving psychiatric treatment under a hospital order are still eligible. This has been criticized as a "double provision," where offenders receive benefits despite their accommodation and care being funded by the National Health Service and taxpayers.
Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, father of Grace O'Malley Kumar, stated, "Our campaign has always been about accountability and fairness. Offenders with treatment orders already cost the taxpayer an enormous amount. On release, every offender gets help with housing and benefits. On the principle of fairness alone, we do not see why taxpayers should fund benefits while they are incarcerated."
The proposed change is expected to affect approximately 2,500 individuals currently in hospital and an estimated 200 new cases annually. The regulations are slated to be laid before Parliament on October 20 and are subject to parliamentary approval. The government anticipates the changes will save tens of millions of pounds each year.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, affirmed the government's commitment to addressing the issue. "We said we'd act to tackle this gross unfairness and we're delivering on that promise," 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 initiative has also been welcomed by families of other victims. Leon Westcarr, uncle of Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, who was murdered in April 2024 by her partner Gogoa Lois Tape, expressed his encouragement. Tape, who was given a hospital order after pleading guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, had used cannabis and had "undiagnosed" schizophrenia at the time of the attack.
Julian Hendy from the advocacy group Hundred Families, which supports families affected by mental illness-related homicides, has campaigned on this issue for nearly a decade. "Paying thousands of pounds of state benefits to mentally disordered offenders on hospital orders who have committed the most serious of crimes cannot be justified. It is unjust and morally wrong," Hendy stated. "Dangerous offenders should not be rewarded for their crimes, particularly when they have no costs and when victims' families have to struggle so hard to get appropriate care and support."
The new rules will specifically target offenders convicted of serious crimes such as manslaughter, attempted murder, rape, and sexual assault who are detained under a hospital order. Individuals detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 who have not committed an offense will not be affected by these changes.