26/09/2005

London bomb victims to begin receiving payments

Survivors of the London bomb attacks are to begin receiving compensation payments within the next ten days, it has been announced.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority said that it had now received around 180 applications. The CICA said that police reports had been requested to confirm that the claimant was a victims of the July 7 bomb attacks and medical reports to confirm the injuries sustained.

In a statement issued on Monday, the CICA said: “We received the first batch of police reports last Thursday and are now in a position to begin offering interim payments to victims within the next ten days.

“We are working hard to make sure that victims of these terrible bombings receive the compensation they are entitled to as quickly as possible.”

The announcement comes after some of the survivors of the four blasts, which killed 52 people, expressed concerns that they were still to receive financial compensation nearly three months after the attacks.

Speaking on the BBC’s ‘Sunday AM’ programme, Prime Minister Tony Blair had promised to investigate reports that those injured in the blasts had yet to receive compensation.

Hundreds of people were injured in the four blasts – three on Tube trains and one on a double-decker – during the morning rush hour on July 7. Many of the survivors have been expressing concerns about the financial problems they face, because of the injuries they sustained which prevented them from working.

Martine Wright, who had to have both her legs amputated following the Aldgate Tube bomb, told the ‘News of the World’ yesterday that she was worried about paying her bills. She said: “I’ve enough to worry about at the moment with learning to walk again. This is an extra burden.”

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

30 November 2006
Farepak customers to begin receiving compensation
Customers who lost money when the Farepak Christmas saving scheme are to begin receiving compensation in the form of shopping vouchers from next week. The compensation fund has reached more than £6 million, but this will mean that members of the scheme will still only receive 15p for every pound they saved in the scheme.
12 January 2004
£25m Victims Fund under consideration
The Commons is considering new legislation that could see the setting up of a national Victims Fund worth £25 million, it has been revealed today.
08 May 2009
Stabbed Mother 'Had Contacted Police' Over Safety Fears
A mother-of-three has been found stabbed to death at her home had called the police hours before her death, it has emerged. Mary Griffiths, a 38-year-old fitness instructor, from Bury St Edmunds, died early on Wednesday.
27 March 2015
Justice Secretary Introduces New Criminal Court Charge
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has announced new rules that will see convicted criminals in England and Wales pay up to £1,200 towards court costs. The new Criminal Courts Charge will be introduced on 13 April, will begin at £150 and will not be means-tested. Mr Grayling said the new cost will ensure "criminals pay their way".
10 October 2013
32,600 Compensation Claims Received Over Potholes
Britain's roads are peppered with almost 200,000 potholes, or one for every mile of road in Great Britain, according to official council data obtained via a freedom of information request by Britannia Rescue. The combination of a harsh winter followed by a dry summer has particularly harmed road surfaces and exacerbated the problem.