Criminals detained in hospital set to lose benefits

The UK government plans to stop serious criminals detained in psychiatric hospitals from receiving benefits, including up to £800 a month in universal credit, while the NHS already funds their care and accommodation. The regulations are due to be laid before Parliament on Tuesday and could take effect early next year, subject to approval; the government estimates annual savings of tens of millions of pounds. The families of Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, killed alongside Ian Coates by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham in 2023, and the mother of Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, killed by Gogoa Lois Tape in 2024, welcomed the move. Calocane and Tape were convicted of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and detained in hospital.