Cuts to injury scheme

Coalition MPs have voted to support proposed cuts to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme that will slash or axe altogether the financial support given to nearly 90% of the victims of violent crime.

The cuts are being implemented via a Statutory Instrument (SI), which is generally only used for non-contentious issues. The SI was approved 9 votes to 7 by a parliamentary committee, despite the failure of a previous attempt following objections from Conservative backbenchers.

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw and other campaigners against the changes accused the government of stacking the Committee with its payroll vote to ensure the cuts were approved second time around.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said: “The government’s appalling record of making the most vulnerable pay to reduce the deficit is likely to reach a new low with injured crime victims next in line to suffer.

www.usdaw.org.uk/newsevents/news/2012/nov/coalitionmpspassbyonthe.aspx