Tories to ban criminals from blowing benefits on booze and cigarettes

Tories to ban criminals from blowing benefits on booze and cigarettesThe Conservatives have announced plans to ban criminals on licence from spending benefits on alcohol and cigarettes in a new welfare crackdown. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Aaron Newbury, Political Correspondent 11:24, Sun, May 31, 2026 Updated: 11:24, Sun, May 31, 2026 Philp announces criminal benefits ban (Image: Getty)Criminials will be stopped from spending benefits on alcohol and cigarettes under new plans announced by the Conservatives. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) The scheme is the latest policy Kemi Badenoch's party has put forward alongside other plans they say will cut the welfare budget. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy PolicyChris Philp, the shadow home secretary, also said limiting what law-abiding benefits claimants can spend their money on is "worth considering" as well.But criminals, either out on licence or serving community sentences, would be barred from spending their benefits money on gambling and items including alcohol and cigarettes, under the plans. Read more: Conservatives vow to ban polygamous husba...