New compensation scheme for victims of terrorism

The Ministry of Justice has announced that victims of terror atrocities, both at home and overseas, are to benefit from a new dedicated compensation scheme under government plans to boost the support offered to people injured by violent crime.

The new proposals, following a commitment to improve the compensation process following the Manchester Arena Terror Attack, aim to better address the particular needs of victims and their families following a terrorist incident, and ensure applications are processed as rapidly as possible.

Ministers are also launching a consultation which seeks to improve the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) – making the scheme simpler and more transparent, while ensuring it keeps pace with the changing nature of crime.

The Scheme provides compensation to victims injured by violent crime as public acknowledgement of their suffering, paying out more than £130 million last year. This includes £11 million to victims who were previously barred from accessing compensation under the pre-1979 ‘same roof’ rule after the government scrapped the unfair rule last year.

Justice Minister Alex Chalk said: “All too recently we’ve witnessed the devastating effects of terrorism, which is why this government is determined that victims get the support they need to rebuild their lives. While no amount of compensation can ever make up for the suffering they’ve endured, our reforms will ensure the system for claiming awards better reflects the needs of victims, and that applications are processed as rapidly as possible.

“But this is only one part of our plans to boost the support available for people injured by violent crime. We are simplifying the Scheme making it easier to understand, as well as increasing pay-outs for bereaved families.”

The consolation will run until to 9 October 2020.