Parliament considers benefits ban for offenders detained in hospital
New legislation being considered in parliament would stop serious violent and sexual offenders detained in psychiatric hospitals from receiving state benefits.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
New legislation aimed at stopping state benefits for offenders held in psychiatric hospitals is being considered in parliament. The government says the change closes a loophole that currently allows killers and sex offenders to receive up to 800 pounds a month, and that it could save tens of millions of pounds a year.
The case of Kennedy Westcar Saburosh, who was 25 when she was killed by her partner in East London two years ago, was cited in coverage. She died weeks before her daughter's second birthday. Her family said they felt her life had been lost in vain. Gagaya Tappe admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and was detained indefinitely under a hospital order. Under current rules, offenders detained in psychiatric hospitals in such circumstances can be eligible for benefits, even though the NHS pays for their care and accommodation.
The legislation would stop benefits for people detained under hospital orders for specified serious violent and sexual offences. Families of the Nottingham attack victims also campaigned for change. Valdo Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order after admitting the manslaughter of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates. Their families argued the rules needed to change for fairness and accountability. One quoted argument was that it is not fair to taxpayers to pay to keep offenders in hospital and then pay them money for being there.
The government said people detained under mental health legislation who have committed no offence will not be affected, and treatment will continue. Up to now, people who committed serious violent and sexual offences, including taking life, could continue to receive thousands of pounds in universal credit and other benefits if committed to a psychiatric hospital. The government said the practice was being changed so treatment would be more in parallel with people in prison. It described the move as the least that could be done for justice for victims and their families. The new rules are expected to take effect early next year.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| Killers and sex offenders can currently receive benefits payments of up to 800 pounds a month. | |
| The government estimates that closing the loophole could save tens of millions of pounds annually. | |
| The government plans legislation to end benefit payments for people detained under hospital orders for certain serious violent and sexual offences. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report led on the legislation being considered in parliament and framed it around fairness to victims and taxpayers. It used the cases of Kennedy Westcar Saburosh and the Nottingham attack victims to explain why families campaigned for change, while noting that people detained without an offence are not affected. It also included the government's projected savings and the expected start date.
- “It's just simply not fair to the taxpayer that we pay at both ends.”
- “I am changing this practice so that in future the treatment will be more in parallel to people who are in prison.”
- “People detained under mental health legislation who have committed no offence will not be affected and treatment will continue.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.