Jailed criminals are still reportedly receiving hundreds of pounds in benefits despite being behind bars.
Universal Credit is a benefit given to people to help with their living costs.
Among those who are eligible for the payment includes those who are on a low income or unemployed.
But some prisoners are still being paid the monthly benefit while in jail, despite not being eligible for it.
Jailed criminals are still reportedly receiving hundreds of pounds in benefits
Danny Lawson
Belmarsh Prison
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One prisoner claimed to have been paid £1,470 in benefits during a 12-week sentence for drink driving at Belmarsh Prison.
The man, who has recently been released, said others at the same prison were also receiving such benefits.
He told The Sun: “It’s common in jail. Three people on my wing, hardened criminals were getting benefits. One got his for ten months.”
But the Department for Work and Pensions said there can be “rare cases” where people get the benefit who shouldn’t, claiming the overpayments do eventually get recovered.
The DWP said: “In rare cases where a change of circumstances is not immediately processed, records can be updated at a later date and overpayments recovered.”
The error in payments comes as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the UK, with many households struggling to pay their monthly bills.
