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."