UK government to bar benefits for violent offenders detained in hospitals
The government will end state benefit payments to violent criminals held under hospital orders, affecting about 2,500 inmates and saving tens of millions of pounds.
After sustained campaigning by victims' families, the UK government announced rules that will prevent violent criminals detained under hospital orders from receiving state benefits. The measures, set to take effect early next year after parliamentary approval, will impact about 2,500 existing patients and roughly 200 new cases annually, cutting taxpayer spending by tens of millions of pounds. They target individuals subject to Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Section 57A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, covering offences such as manslaughter, attempted murder and rape, but exclude murder.
Families like Emma Webber and Linda Westcarr praised the change as overdue accountability. The NHS will continue to provide mental-health care to those affected. Full financial details will be released in the 2026 budget on October 28.
Why it matters
It stops taxpayers from funding benefits for serious offenders in hospitals, addressing a long-standing fairness concern.
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