Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Friday 30th November 2012 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mrs Helen Grant)]

In March 2011 the Government responded to the Public Accounts Select Committee report “Smaller Government: Shrinking the Quango State” setting out the coalition’s plans for reforming the public bodies sector. It includes the requirement to undertake triennial reviews of Executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs).

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is the Government body responsible for administering the compensation schemes for criminal injuries and victims of overseas terrorism in England, Scotland and Wales. Its aim is to compensate the blameless victims of violent crime or acts of terrorism overseas. Part of the Ministry of Justice, it was established in 1994 under prerogative powers.

To deliver the coalition Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority will be subject to a triennial review. The Ministry of Justice, as the sponsoring Department, has today launched a consultation, which will last until 8 February 2013, inviting views. In line with Cabinet Office guidance, the review will consider the following:

the continuing need for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority—both its functions and its form; and

where it is agreed that it should remain, to review the control and governance arrangements in place to ensure that the public body is complying with recognised principles of good corporate governance.

In conducting the triennial review, officials will be engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and users of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The review will be aligned with guidance published by the Cabinet Office: “Guidance on Reviews of Non-Departmental Public Bodies”. The final report and findings will be laid in this House.