Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Flello Excerpts

Tuesday 13th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

We talked to them as a matter of routine. I will write to the hon. Gentleman with further details.

[Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab)]

Having butchered the criminal injuries compensation scheme by £50 million, starving blameless victims of financial redress, will the Minister tell us when we will see the details of the hastily cobbled-together hardship fund? Will she also tell us whether the fund will be topped up when those in hardship exceed the mere 700 or so whom the scheme is likely to cover, instead of the 30,000 who will lose out as a result of these changes?

[Mrs Grant]

I am not going to take any lessons from a party that put this country in the most awful financial difficulties—[Interruption.] Absolutely not. The current system is not sustainable or sensible, and it needs to be simplified. As I have already said, the new victim surcharge will raise up to £50 million for victims services.