DWP urged to cut £99 monthly from Universal Credit for unpaid anti-social behaviour fines

The Department for Work and Pensions has been urged to deduct up to £99 monthly from Universal Credit standard allowances to collect unpaid fines for anti-social behaviour, following a Centre for Social Justice report backed by Sir Iain Duncan Smith. The report found 41% of people in England and Wales experienced or witnessed anti-social behaviour in 2025/26, up from 35% the previous year. It proposes deducting 15% of the standard allowance, which ranges from £338.58 to £666.97, and suggests councils could impose face-covering bans and GPS tagging for repeat offenders. The CSJ warns inconsistent penalties create a "postcode lottery" enabling organised crime to thrive. Sir Iain called the issue "the single greatest threat" to law-abiding citizens, urging ministers to implement the proposals to restore order on high streets.