Government climb down on plans to scrap crime compensation

A ROTHERHAM MP has welcomed an eleventh-hour government climb-down on plans to scrap compensation payments for crime victims.

John Healey was due to sit on the legislation committee that would have scrutinised the proposed changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS).

But – unusually – at the first committee meeting on Monday, plans were dropped.

Mr Healey said: “The government should not have even contemplated these cuts that would have penalised innocent victims of crime.

“The fact their plans got so far shows how out-of-touch these Tories are.”

The CICS proposed cutting all compensation for around half of those currently eligible, and drastically reducing compensation for many more.

Postal and shop workers were expected to be among those hardest hit.

The U-turn has been welcomed by Victim Support.