Government is failing victims of violent crime - Burstow

3.50.00pm GMT Thu 20th Nov 2008

Paul Burstow MP has expressed his disgust at figures which reveal how victims of violent crime are not receiving the compensation they deserve from the government.

A report issued by the Public Accounts Committee, of which Mr Burstow is a member, states that the majority of victims are completely unaware of the government's compensation scheme. Consequently only five per cent of those injured by violent criminals are applying for money from the government.

Since 2000, when the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority was severely criticised in similar report, the Authority's performance has deteriorated. Despite the number of claim applications falling by almost a quarter the time taken to resolve a case has risen and the costs have increased by £6.1 million.

Commenting on the report after its publication, Mr Burstow said:

'This is an appalling indictment of the Ministry of Justice and the way that it treats the victims of violent crime, who it claims to place at the heart of the criminal justice system. Yet the reality the report has revealed is one of misinformation and mismanagement that speaks volumes of the low priority the government gives to compensating those injured through no fault of their own.

'It is shocking that only a third of victims surveyed knew about the compensation scheme. I can only hope that after this public scrutiny the government will get its act together and more people will be made aware of the money they should be receiving.'

Notes to Editors:

The Committee published its 54th Report of this Session which, on the basis of evidence from the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry), Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (the Authority) and the Tribunals Service, examined the reasons for the deterioration in performance since the Committee last reported and the steps that they had taken, and planned to take, to improve performance in the future.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme makes financial awards to individuals who have been injured as a result of violent crime.

Between 2000 and 2006, performance in dealing with claims deteriorated.

The number of applications fell by 23%, the average time taken to resolve a case rose from 12 to 17 months; the number of cases resolved per staff member fell from 179 to 125; and the total cost to the taxpayer of administering the scheme increased by £6.1 million in real terms.

The Ministry of Justice has oversight of the scheme.

Only about one third of victims of violent crime surveyed in 2006 were aware of the scheme and only 5% applied.

Over half of applicants use representatives, although it is not necessary, and over 20% pay solicitors, even though Victim Support offers a free service.

In the seven years since the Committee's predecessors examined this subject, only five of its sixteen recommendations have been met in full. The Ministry now plans to put in place accountability and performance management frameworks at all of its arms' length bodies, and to appoint an official to monitor performance against the recommendations of the National Audit Office and the Committee.