Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Victims of Crime

Tuesday 5 July 2022 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government plans to enhance support for victims of crime include a landmark victims Bill and a funding increase to 192 million by 2024-25.
  • The Department for Transport is launching a call for evidence on motoring offences to engage with stakeholders regarding mandatory blood testing.
  • The Government is tightening open prison rules with a three-step test and greater ministerial oversight to reduce prisoner absconding issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Pawsey Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP asks about plans to improve support services for crime victims.

Question

What are the Government's specific plans and commitments to enhance support for victims of crime, including funding increases and policy improvements?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Our landmark victims Bill will improve support for victims and help them expect fair treatment from the criminal justice system. Funding for victim and witness support services is increased to £192 million by 2024-25, quadrupling since 2009-10. This funding supports a 43% increase in independent sexual and domestic violence advisers and introduces a 24/7 support line for victims of rape and sexual violence.

Answered
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Q2 Jonathan Gullis
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Transport
Context

A six-year-old girl was tragically killed, and her mother waited over a year due to delayed blood sample testing. The MP proposes an amendment to section 7 of the Road Traffic Act.

Question

Would my hon. Friend support amending section 7 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for mandatory blood testing without permission where loss of life occurs, providing victims with quicker answers?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 was recently introduced, tightening offences and introducing a new careless driving causing serious injury offence. The Department for Transport is launching a call for evidence on motoring offences to engage with the hon. Friend.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Support for amendment proposal not explicitly stated

How: The Measures Introduced Reflect The Devastating Harm Caused By These Crimes, But Does Not Directly Address The Specific Amendment Request.

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Q3 Simon Jupp
Justice & Courts
Context

The draft victims Bill is seen as a step forward. The MP questions if proper funding is essential.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that adequate funding is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of victim support services in Devon and elsewhere?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The victims Bill focuses on improving quality and consistency, backed by £192 million by 2024-25, quadrupling since 2009-10, along with a multi-year commitment to give victim support services confidence to plan for the future.

Answered
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Q4 Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Violent sexual offenders have escaped from a Lincolnshire prison, causing anxiety among constituents. The MP asks about measures to prevent such incidents.

Question

What specific actions are being taken to ensure that violent offenders do not escape again and cause further harm?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We are tightening open prison rules with a three-step test and greater ministerial oversight, which is expected to provide confidence regarding prisoner absconding issues.

Answered
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Q5 Mark Pawsey Con
Crime & Law Enforcement NHS
Context

A constituent, Sheila Whitehouse, suffered life-changing injuries aiding a neighbour attacked by a dog. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority did not compensate her adequately.

Question

Will the Minister review eligibility criteria to allow compensation through the CICA for those injured in similar circumstances as Sheila's?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The criminal injuries compensation scheme compensates victims of violent crimes with strict eligibility criteria. An animal attack is a crime only if the animal was used deliberately for injury; thus, expanding definitions would extend beyond original intentions and response is pending.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Review request not directly addressed

How: The Scheme Has Strict Criteria And We Are Cautious About Expanding Its Scope Without Due Consideration.

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Q6 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Justice & Courts

Question

When will the Department set a timetable for implementing the urgent funding required by Sir Christopher Bellamy's review?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The Under-Secretary of State for Justice will answer questions on this matter from Members. The Opposition supported the Bellamy review outcomes and we are working to deliver them.

Not addressed: Specific timetable not provided

How: Redirecting To Another Minister, Acknowledging Support But Avoiding Specific Commitment

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Q7 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

The question concerns the government's response to a case involving the promotion of a former Foreign Office Minister who had engaged in predatory sexual behaviour, despite warnings from officials.

Question

As we have heard, Members on both sides of the House want victims' needs to be put first, so why did the Secretary of State tour the TV studios to defend the Prime Minister for ignoring the victim of predatory sexual behaviour by a former Foreign Office Minister when he promoted him to Deputy Chief Whip, despite having been alerted to that behaviour by the permanent under-secretary and despite the Minister in question having admitted to the behaviour?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

My clear understanding is that the hon. Gentleman is wrong about that, but of course it is right that the processes that have been set out should be allowed to run their course. All hon. Members take a very dim view of people being ill-treated and it is right that due process can now be followed. What is not in question is the Government's determination to ensure that outcomes for victims are better; the funding and the measures in the Bill are there, and we will get on and deliver that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific defence of the Prime Minister's decision was denied by the Secretary of State but not substantively addressed. The response focused more on due process and the government's commitment to victims' needs without directly addressing the accusation about defending the promotion decision.

How: Denying The Claim, Focusing On General Principles

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