# DWP confirms plans to close unfair Universal Credit ‘loophole’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/dwp-confirms-plans-to-close-unfair-universal-credit-loophole/
- Published: 2026-11-04T22:18:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T02:50:35+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Express (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2263383/dwp-confirms-plans-close-unfair
- Topics: Health, Medicine, World

## Key points

- DWP plans to end some benefits for serious offenders detained in hospitals.
- Around 2,500 people could be affected, plus 200 new cases each year.
- The changes need parliamentary approval and would not affect people detained without an offence.

## Summary

The Department for Work and Pensions plans to stop certain people convicted of serious violent or sexual offences from claiming benefits while detained in psychiatric hospitals under court orders. The Government says this addresses unfairness because the NHS already covers their accommodation, food and treatment, and aligns their rules more closely with those for people serving prison sentences.

Regulations were laid before Parliament on 20 October, with the changes expected to take effect early next year if approved. The proposals could affect around 2,500 people already in hospital and about 200 new cases annually, and also cover certain State Pension, Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance payments. People detained without committing an offence will not be affected, and the Government initially estimated savings of tens of millions of pounds a year.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.