House of Commons · Westminster Hall
29 April 2025 · 10 other contributors · 12,776 words
Opened by Laurence Turner Lab Birmingham Northfield
Responding minister: Alex Davies-Jones
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Laurence Turner raised concerns about criminal injuries compensation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The hon. Member asks for the scheme to be simplified and made more accessible to victims who wish to apply on their own behalf, reducing reliance on legal representatives. He also calls for consistency in time limits between criminal injuries compensation authority claims and ordinary personal injury claims.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
At the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the original criminal injuries compensation scheme, it is noted that delays, poor communication, and inadequate compensation have become significant issues. The average time between application and award in Birmingham is over a year, with victims often not effectively signposted to wider support services such as post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis through the NHS.
Commended the speeches of her colleagues and emphasized the need for reform to support victims better, including index-linking awards to inflation.
Paid tribute to the USDAW for its work in ensuring retail staff victims of violent crime can access CICA compensation. Mentioned 200 Royal Mail workers losing fingers or parts of fingers annually due to dog attacks. Rape and sexual assault have a low conviction rate, so CICA provides financial restitution and recognition for victims. Time limits discourage many from applying for compensation. Victims under the age of 18 in Warrington do not have support available for violence, highlighting the importance of the CICA scheme. ISVA services need better funding to offer bespoke support. Made a speech combining empathy with an acute reading of technical challenges existing in the scheme, highlighted the importance of not making changes driven solely by cost-saving measures.
The hon. Member reiterated the timeline and sequence of events, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive response from the Government to previous consultations and reforms suggested.
Mr Campbell agreed with Mr Shannon's point on system abuse but emphasized the need for raising awareness and ensuring eligible individuals can claim compensation despite potential misuse of the scheme by a few.
Mr Shannon acknowledged the hon. Member's personal story and noted that the compensation scheme in Northern Ireland differs slightly from that in England, Scotland, and Wales. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness about eligibility criteria to ensure victims know their rights. Described some of the differences in Northern Ireland, noting similarities with frustrations experienced by victims in England, Wales and Scotland.
Commends Laurence Turner for his bravery and argues that the scheme should be simplified to make it more accessible, with minimal barriers even in cases of criminal court proceedings. ISVA deserts exist across the country, making it difficult for victims to access crucial support. The test of a civilised society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.
Raises a concern about the length of time it takes to compensate victims, the bureaucratic nature of the scheme, and the inadequacy of compensation amounts, particularly for children with lifelong injuries.
Emphasized the exhaustion faced by crime victims who do not appeal due to complex processes, highlighting the historical reduction in expenditure from £40 million to £60 million in 2012. Also mentioned that only £4,100 has been paid out of a £500,000 annual hardship fund. Thanked everyone for their informed speeches and tone, highlighting the common aim of having a scheme that delivers more for victims of crime.
Highlights the paradox of eligibility requirements, suggesting reforms in 'exceptional circumstances' rules and questioning why compensation is determined by claims officer inquiries rather than justice. The hon. Member pointed out an irony in asking why the current Minister has not responded to a consultation from 2020, when her party's Government did not do so for another four years.
Agrees that there should be consistency in time limits between criminal injuries compensation authority claims and ordinary personal injury claims. The current system fails many victims due to arbitrary time caps, a confusing claims process, inadequate compensation tariffs, and barriers to justice. The Government should review the two-year time limit and reconsider reporting requirements.
Government Response
Alex Davies-JonesThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice
The Minister thanked the hon. Member for Birmingham Northfield for securing the debate, expressing deep respect for the personal stories shared by Members about their experiences as victims of crime. She acknowledged the desire to see improvements in the criminal injuries compensation scheme and commended the tireless work done by staff operating the scheme. I have a long-standing commitment to supporting victims of crime. Since I took on responsibility for this scheme, I have been struck by the bravery of victims of crime who speak out about what they have been through and how it has affected them... At the forefront of my mind as I considered how to respond to the consultations were the IICSA findings and recommendations. There is no doubt that sexual abuse and exploitation of children are the most heinous crimes... Although my decision was difficult, it was the right one for the scheme and the victims of violent crime it supports...