Victims of violent crime are being hampered from claiming compensation by excessive bureaucracy and complex forms, MPs have said.
Victims of violent crime are being hampered from claiming compensation by excessive bureaucracy and complex forms, MPs have said.
Less than 5% of those eligible for sums of up to £500,000 were applying, the public accounts committee found.
Less than 5% of those eligible for sums of up to £500,000 were applying, the public accounts committee found.
Two-thirds of victims were unaware of the scheme, it added.
Two-thirds of victims were unaware of the scheme, it added.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said compensation was a "low priority" for ministers. But the government said the system had improved since 2006.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said compensation was a "low priority" for ministers. But the government said the system had improved since 2006.
Targets
Targets
The committee found that many victims of violent crime spent money on expensive lawyers because they did not know free legal help was on offer.
The committee found that many victims of violent crime spent money on expensive lawyers because they did not know free legal help was on offer.
The report, Compensating Victims of Violent Crime, criticises the Ministry of Justice for failing to set the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) rigorous targets.
The report, Compensating Victims of Violent Crime, criticises the Ministry of Justice for failing to set the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) rigorous targets.
It is time for a new compensation scheme that is quicker and less complicated for applicants Nick Herbert, Conservatives
It is time for a new compensation scheme that is quicker and less complicated for applicants Nick Herbert, Conservatives
The committee said that, despite applications falling by 23%, the average time taken to resolve a complaint had increased from one year to 17 months.
The committee said that, despite applications falling by 23%, the average time taken to resolve a complaint had increased from one year to 17 months.
The costs of administering the scheme had risen by £6m between 2000 and 2006, while staff productivity had fallen.
The costs of administering the scheme had risen by £6m between 2000 and 2006, while staff productivity had fallen.
Mr Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough, said: "The Ministry of Justice's declared objective is to place victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.
Mr Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough, said: "The Ministry of Justice's declared objective is to place victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.
"If the scheme for compensating victims of violent crime is anything to go by, that objective is a long way from fulfilment.
"If the scheme for compensating victims of violent crime is anything to go by, that objective is a long way from fulfilment.
"A large proportion of citizens who are injured by violent criminals are left in ignorance of the compensation scheme, leading to the absurd situation that only 5% apply for compensation."
"A large proportion of citizens who are injured by violent criminals are left in ignorance of the compensation scheme, leading to the absurd situation that only 5% apply for compensation."
'Emotional support'
'Emotional support'
For the Conservatives, shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said: "The Criminal Injuries and Compensation Authority received a damning report eight years ago, yet the victims of crime are now facing even longer delays.
For the Conservatives, shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said: "The Criminal Injuries and Compensation Authority received a damning report eight years ago, yet the victims of crime are now facing even longer delays.
"It is time for a new compensation scheme that is quicker and less complicated for applicants."
"It is time for a new compensation scheme that is quicker and less complicated for applicants."
But a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The government continues to improve the quality of the practical and emotional support victims receive, providing access to compensation, ensuring they have timely access to information, and ensuring their voice is heard in the system.
But a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The government continues to improve the quality of the practical and emotional support victims receive, providing access to compensation, ensuring they have timely access to information, and ensuring their voice is heard in the system.
"Since 2006 the CICA have improved the access and quality of services for victims of violent crime and a more efficient case handling process is resulting in faster decisions."
"Since 2006 the CICA have improved the access and quality of services for victims of violent crime and a more efficient case handling process is resulting in faster decisions."
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