Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Payment Scheme for Victims of the Troubles

Wednesday 20 January 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Gwynne questioned the Secretary of State about representations received on funding for the payment scheme for victims of the troubles and the delay in its delivery.
  • Simon Hoare welcomed the movement on historical institutional abuse payments but inquired about a commitment for draft legislation and a delivery route plan to be published by a certain date.
  • Louise Haigh expressed concerns about the delays in the publication of the Shawcross report and the troubles pension legislation, emphasizing the UK's responsibility in these matters.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Northern Ireland
Context

The question arises from ongoing concerns over delays in implementing a funding scheme for victims of the troubles.

Question

What recent representations he has received on funding for the payment scheme for victims of the troubles. The fact that it still has not been delivered, though, should shame us all. So does the Secretary of State agree that failing to deliver on these promises to victims will do immense damage to trust?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We share the objective of getting the scheme open for applications as quickly as possible. The Department of Finance in the Northern Ireland Executive needs to step forward and organise an independent fiscal council to provide advice and scrutiny on budgetary matters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or concrete commitment was not provided

How: This Is A Devolved Matter

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Q2 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Northern Ireland
Context

The question relates to the ongoing delays in delivering a payment scheme promised to victims of the troubles, despite previous efforts.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. Eighteen months ago, I was proud to play my part in finally delivering the payment to victims who had campaigned for decades for redress for the unimaginable suffering they endured during the troubles. The fact that it still has not been delivered should shame us all. So does the Secretary of State agree that failing to deliver on these promises to victims will do immense damage to trust?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I am proud we got this moving forward, but there is a moral duty to deliver. The Department of Justice Minister and the First Minister are passionate about delivering this programme. There needs to be progress from the Department of Finance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or concrete commitment was not provided

How: Department Of Finance

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Q3 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Northern Ireland
Context

The question concerns the ongoing consultations and timeline for addressing legacy issues related to historical institutional abuse.

Question

On behalf of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, I welcome the movement on the historical institutional abuse payments but there are other issues remaining. Can he give a commitment that the consultation will conclude with draft legislation published and a delivery route plan in public domain by summer recess?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The work is ongoing, focusing on legacy matters despite delays due to covid. The Committee's recent piece of work has been helpful and the engagement process continues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment or deadline not provided

How: Engagement Process

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Q4 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Northern Ireland
Context

The question highlights concerns about the responsibility of both Westminster and Northern Ireland Executive to deliver on promises made regarding the troubles pension.

Question

I join in sending best wishes to former Secretary of State Edwin Poots. Victims have been badly treated, losing confidence in delivery promises made here. The troubles pension was legislated for at Westminster and applies across the UK; we cannot wash our hands of responsibility. Will the Secretary of State urgently meet relevant Ministers in the Executive to discuss meeting upfront costs of the scheme and ensure that the pension will be delivered?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I regularly meet with Executive Ministers, including those responsible for this portfolio. The Justice Minister is on target to have the administrative structure in place by spring or late March and continues proactive engagement with victims' groups.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment regarding meeting costs not provided

How: Devolved Matter

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Q5 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Justice & Courts
Context

The Justice Minister has been pursuing a meeting with the Secretary of State regarding this issue. The Shawcross report was commissioned by the Government to address compensation issues.

Question

I am sure the Justice Minister and other Ministers who have been pursuing a meeting with the Secretary of State on this issue for some time will be pleased to hear that he has now committed to that. Another issue of confidence for victims is the delay in the publication of the Shawcross report, which the Secretary of State's Government commissioned, into compensation for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terror. Why are the Government refusing to publish this report and fulfil their promises of compensation for victims?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

First, I would just correct the hon. Lady: what I actually said was that I have been talking to the Justice Minister—I spoke to her just a few weeks ago—and she raises the victims' payments issue quite widely on a regular basis. Obviously, I talk to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister very regularly—often more than once a week—on a range of issues, including this one. We recognise the very sensitive issues that are raised in the scoping report Mr Shawcross has produced. Ministers are now carefully considering the internal scoping report in order to ensure that we can do justice to the important and sensitive issues that it covers and to give due respect to the victims it is working for. We as a Government are working hard to ensure that across these issues we are doing everything we can to make sure that the victims get the support that they need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request to publish the Shawcross report and fulfill compensation promises was not directly addressed.

How: Correcting A Statement, General Commitment

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