£25m Victims Fund under consideration

The Commons is considering new legislation that could see the setting up of a national Victims Fund worth £25 million, it has been revealed today.

According to the consultation paper, offenders could pay more towards compensation and support for victims through higher surcharges on criminal convictions and Fixed Penalty Notices for criminal offences, such as parking and speeding fines.

Working in conjunction with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS), the Fund will ensure that victims can access a variety of support services tailored to their needs. Measures are also being taken forward to ensure that the CICS is administered "as efficiently and cost effectively as possible". Coupled with new legislation, the government hopes that a new and improved service will be created.

Home Secretary David Blunkett: "A Victims Fund will put more money into services such as practical support, information and advice to victims of rape and sexual offences, road traffic accident victims and those who have been bereaved as a result of crime.

"We want to provide more funding to the voluntary sector and communities to meet local needs. I am determined to ensure that victims feel able to come forward and can be confident that when they do they receive the practical and emotional as well as financial support that they need to rebuild their lives."

Other proposals for compensating victims, include: introducing a right for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to recover money from offenders; and working in partnership with the insurance industry and alcohol industry to improve safety measures, prevent victimisation and consider ways to reduce victimisation such as sponsoring local victims' schemes.

Under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, blameless victims of crimes of violence received more than 40,000 awards a year and some £160 million is paid out in compensation.

(gmcg)