Huppert pushes government to act to cut reoffending rates
Cambridge MP Julian Huppert is pushing the government to allow prisoners to receive benefits as soon as they are released from jail in a bid to cut reoffending rates. He challenged Prisons Secretary, Crispin Blunt on the issue during Topical Questions in the House of Commons asking if he was concerned that prisoners released without instant access to benefits might return to crime, Julian said asked; "Does the Secretary of State share my concern that releasing prisoners with £46 in their pocket, nowhere to stay and a delay of one to six weeks before they can get Jobseeker's Allowance makes it more likely that they will reoffend?" He asked whether Mr Blunt would reach an agreement with the Department of Work and Pensions so that benefits can start promptly on release. Mr Blunt acknowledged the problem and added that he was already in discussions about the issue. "I hope that we will be able to bring forward proposals that will address that issue," he said. Later Julian said: "Clearly, if prisoners are r