UK to Stop Benefits for Murderers and Rapists Held in Mental Health Hospitals

The UK government has formally proposed rules that strip the right to welfare benefits from perpetrators of serious crimes—including murderers and sexual offenders—who are currently being treated in mental health hospitals. The regulation, to be submitted to Parliament on Tuesday (30/9), targets a practice described as "double provision": the state funds hospital care and accommodation while still paying universal credit of up to 800 pounds per month to inmates.

The move follows years of pressure from victims' families, who argue the state has been paying for the perpetrators' living costs twice over. The government estimates that closing this loophole will save tens of millions of pounds each year. The new regulation is expected to take effect early next year, subject to parliamentary approval.

The rules target individuals subject to hospital orders under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Section 57A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. Covered offences include manslaughter, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, rape, and sexual assault against children under 13. Murder is excluded because a hospital order is not a sentence available for that offence.

Victims' families have welcomed the announcement. Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber—one of three people killed in a knife attack in Nottingham in June 2023—said the policy should have been adopted long ago. "This is overdue, and it is the right thing to do. It is deeply shameful that Calocane and perpetrators like him ever received taxpayers' money," she said, referring to Valdo Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and sentenced for manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.

Dr Sanjoy Kumar, father of victim Grace O'Malley Kumar, stressed that their campaign has always been about accountability and justice. "Perpetrators with care orders already place an enormous burden on taxpayers. Upon release, every perpetrator receives housing support and benefits. On grounds of fairness alone, we see no reason taxpayers should fund benefits while they are still detained," he said.

Linda Westcarr, mother of Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, who was killed by her partner in April 2024, also emphasised the moral dimension. According to her, the question of whether perpetrators of serious crimes continue to receive benefits touches on justice, accountability, and the values society upholds. "This is not merely policy, but a moral responsibility to ensure the impact on victims and their families is properly acknowledged," she said.

"For too long these violent criminals have had their living costs paid twice by taxpayers, while victims and their families bear the consequences. That ends today," said Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden.

Nevertheless, the policy has not escaped political criticism. The Conservative shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Helen Whately, accused Labour of being slow to close the promised loophole. She argued that savings of tens of millions of pounds will mean little amid a ballooning welfare budget. The Conservatives propose making universal credit a conditional and time-limited benefit.

On the other hand, the government insists the move is part of a plan to restore fairness to the heart of the welfare system. The regulation is expected to provide a basic accountability that victims deserve, while ensuring social assistance goes only to those who genuinely need it.

Going forward, the implementation of these rules will be tested by Parliament and human rights advocacy groups, which may question its impact on the rehabilitation of inmates with mental disorders. The question is, will this step set a precedent for other countries in balancing the rights of victims and the rights of inmates?