The Government is currently studying plans to slash compensation for people injured by criminals, as ministers want to cut £50m from the £200m awarded annually by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS).
Although the revised CICS was due to come into force on the first of this month the motion was withdrawn by Justice Minister Helen Grant in September. But the Government says that it is still committed to reviewing it in order to put it on a “sustainable financial footing” and to cut down on the bureaucracy of the scheme, which means that many people end up waiting years for compensation.
However, shopworkers’ union USDAW has been campaigning to stop the cuts to the scheme and has previously briefed all MPs and Lords on the very damaging impact the proposals would have on the victims of violent crime.
Although as of Monday last week, many more criminals will be made to pay towards supporting the victims of crime. Currently offenders only contribute around one sixth of the funding that supports victims’ services, with taxpayers providing the rest.
But in a massive overhaul to the way services for victims and witnesses of crime are funded, the ‘Victim Surcharge’ has been increased and extended to apply to a far wider range of sentences, which will see offenders provide up to £50 million more each year for victims services. This is on top of the £66 million already given by central Government.
The money raised will go to support local organisations that have a proven track record in supporting victims at their most vulnerable. Among those that could benefit are children’s groups and charities supporting victims of rape, domestic violence, hate crime, burglary, anti-social behaviour and other violent crime, including murder and manslaughter.