The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is paying benefits claimants up to £40 a day in expenses to visit relatives in prison, according to Ministry of Justice guidance. The allowance covers costs such as hire car fees, food, drink, and accommodation for those on qualifying benefits.
Claimants are eligible if they receive less than £1,250 a month in Universal Credit. The scheme also extends to people on Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Who qualifies for the prison visit expenses
Eligibility is not limited to the claimant themselves. The expenses can be claimed by anyone who is the spouse, partner, child, sibling, parent, or grandparent of an inmate. Additionally, anyone recorded as next of kin is also eligible for the support.
Under the rules, claimants may also claim for overnight stays if they need to leave home before 6am or arrive home after midnight. However, approval must be obtained before booking any overnight accommodation.
Political reaction and criticism
The Conservative Party has criticised the scheme, with shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy expressing concern that taxpayers are being taken for a ride. He said: "The law-abiding public will be concerned at the cost of subsidising benefit claimants to visit prisoners.
"While there is strong evidence that prisoners remaining in close contact with their families helps to cut reoffending, any financial support provided should not come at excessive cost to the taxpayer.
"Only the Conservatives have a plan to cut welfare spending and build 50,000 new prison places, ending early release for good, and ensuring we can send violent and serious repeat offenders to prison."
Historical context and official defence
Another critic of the scheme pointed out its long history, saying: "The UK government has provided taxpayer-funded travel and related assistance for low-income prisoners' relatives since at least 1984. Now who was PM at that time?"
A prison service spokesman defended the policy, stating: "Family visits have been proven to protect the public by significantly reducing the chances of reoffending. Any help with costs for those who struggle to afford travel only covers the most essential needs and is kept under review to save taxpayer money."
The scheme remains in place, with the prison service confirming that the assistance is reviewed regularly to ensure it does not place an excessive burden on public finances.
