KILLERS and violent offenders detained in hospital will lose benefits worth thousands in a major crackdown.
They will be treated the same as prisoners — who are already banned from claiming welfare payments.
The move to close the loophole means offenders such as Valdo Calocane will no longer have access to the benefits system, which can pay out more than £800 per month.
The paranoid schizophrenic killed 19-year-olds Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates, 65, in Nottingham in 2023.
He is eligible for Universal Credit after being sent to a high security hospital instead of jail.
Welfare Secretary Pat McFadden wants to remove the benefit from those held in hospitals for serious crimes.
He said: “I don’t think there’s a single household who believes it’s right convicted criminals receive thousands of pounds a year in benefits.
“That’s why I’m acting to right the wrongs within our benefits system, so it supports people who genuinely need it.”
The move has been backed by Grace’s family. Parents Dr Sanjoy Kumar and Dr Sinead O’Malley said: “This is what decisive and bold departmental leadership looks like.”
The loved ones of Barnaby and Ian have also highlighted closing the loophole.
PM Sir Keir Starmer said: “It cannot be right offenders convicted of the most serious crimes continue to receive benefits they don’t need at the expense of the taxpayer.”
The decision would not affect those who have been sectioned and not committed any criminal act.
