7/7 anniversary

6.01.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 7th Jul 2006

Vince Cable MP - "When people are the victims of a terrorist attack it is wrong that they have to battle with government bureaucracy for compensation to which they are entitled "

Today is the anniversary of the terrorist atrocity which killed and injured many Londoners and effected many commuters from Crawley on the way to work in London. Vincent Cable, Liberal Democrats MP and Chair of the All Party Group for Victims of Crime in parliament, has called for a shake up in the system of criminal injuries compensation which leaves victims, including victims of 7/7, without any financial compensation for long periods.

Vincent Cable recently chaired a meeting of the All Party Group with Howard Webber, the Glasgow based head of the government agency involved (CICA). He pointed out that some victims of crimes wait years while others are disqualified for reasons completely extraneous to their attack (such as a previous criminal convictions). One of the main stumbling blocks is the Metropolitan Police which is the slowest of all major police forces in clearing the necessary paperwork.

Vincent Cable said "When people are the victims of a terrorist attack or other forms of violence it is wrong that, in addition to overcoming their physical and mental injuries, they have to battle with government bureaucracy for compensation to which they are entitled. A special effort has been made for the victims of 7/7 but the process is still to slow - with half the payments not yet fully made - and remains very long winded for most victims".

Related Link:

Link to the website of Vince Cable MP.