Government changes miscarriage of justice benefits rules after Hickman & Rose campaign
14 Jul 2025
The Government has agreed to change the law on how means-tested benefits are calculated for victims of miscarriages of justice after a successful campaign by Andrew Malkinson, APPEAL, and Hickman & Rose.
From July 22nd this year, any compensation received from the statutory Miscarriage of Justice Compensation Scheme will be disregarded when establishing an individual’s right to means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Housing Benefit.
The law change means miscarriage of justice victims such as Andy Malkinson – the exonerated former prisoner who was a core part the campaign – will no longer see their benefits removed if they are compensated under the scheme.
It is another victory for the campaign by, among others, Hickman & Rose’s Toby Wilton, APPEAL and Mr Malkinson, to reform the many injustices inherent in the Miscarriage of Justice Compensation Scheme.
Previous reforms include the removal of so-called ‘board and lodging’ expenses from compensation payments; and a similar change ensuring compensation under the scheme is disregarded from eligibility for Legal Aid.
Outstanding demands include reforming restrictive limits on compensation eligibility and outdated caps on overall compensation set in 2008 to ensure that all victims of miscarriage of justice are compensated fairly.
The most recent law change has been covered here, here and here among other places.
