EAST Lancashire MPs Greg Pope and Peter Pike have welcomed a new crackdown on fine defaulters.
The Government has announced it is to almost double the size of the deduction from benefits for people who refuse to pay their court penalties.
Currently the maximum sum that can be taken away from Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or Pension Credit income for those who refuse to pay magistrates and Crown Court fines is £2.80 a week. But now the Government has decided to increase that to £5 a week.
Hyndburn MP Mr Pope said: "I think this is a good idea and long overdue. People need to know a court fine is a serious penalty.
"This is a move in the right direction."
Burnley MP Mr Pike said: "As long as there are proper safeguards this must be a good idea.
"You can't just allow fines to drag out for ever and ever."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article