MPs join call on Government not to let victims suffer twice
Published: 27 April 2012
- Date:
- 27 April 2012
The Government must 'get it right' for victims and witnesses
Victims of crime this week received support in the House of Commons from a selection of MPs who backed Victim Support’s concerns about proposals in the Ministry of Justice’s consultation, Getting it right for victims and witnesses.
In an adjournment debate on the Election of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) Wayne David, Shadow Minister for Justice and Huw Irranca-Davies, Labour MP for Ogmore voiced concern about the Government’s proposals that victim and witness services should be organised and funded through the new network of PCCs.
According to Victim Support figures, at least £21m of help for victims could be wasted if controversial government plans to hand control of budgets to police and crime commissioners go ahead.
Addressing the House of Commons, Huw Irranca-Davies highlighted the potential loss of expertise from the existing 7,000-strong Victim Support volunteer network and flagged concerns about possible increased bureaucracy costs, and fragmentation of victims’ services.
Shadow Justice Minister Wayne David echoed this by stating that under the current proposals, PCCs could see “money allocated for one purpose... used for another”.
Responding to these comments, the Minister Mark Harper said that under the proposals more money, rather than less, will get spent on front-line services.
Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Victim Support said: “Victim Support believes the Government’s plan to break up the national infrastructure that now supports victims and witnesses is unworkable, damaging and dangerous. We are delighted to see our concerns echoed by the Shadow Justice Minister.
“We reject the Government’s assertion that more money will go to victims’ services under the new proposals. Our figures show that millions will be wasted on red tape and bureaucracy – and the additional money pledged by Government is by no means certain. That is why we call on the Minister to guarantee this additional money for victims services now – to ensure that victims don’t suffer twice.”
Read our key concerns and our full response to Getting it right for victims and witnesses The Ministry of Justice's consultation document(2 MB).
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