Unions: Cut crimes, not cash for victims

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news ... ull/125992" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

Private and public-sector unions will descend on Westminster today to protest against controversial changes to a scheme for compensating victims of crime.

The government has come under attack for ploughing ahead with reforms to the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme despite warnings it will hit shop, rail and postal workers injured in incidents.

Rail union RMT, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) and shopworkers' union Usdaw have said that train drivers affected by rail suicides, postal workers attacked by dogs and shop staff injured or traumatised by crime will be among those who will no longer be able to claim compensation under the plans.

The reforms were approved by nine votes to seven in a committee which Labour said was "stacked" with government supporters.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said at the time he was convinced the decision to target victims of crime in this way will come back to haunt the coalition government and every single MP who supports it.

"Any government prepared to cut vital financial support from the innocent victims of violent crime, while at the same time handing out tax cuts to millionaires, has surely lost its moral compass."

RMT said the government should be trying to cut crimes against workers, not compensation.

Speaking after one of his members won what is feared may be one of the last such compensation cases last week, general secretary Bob Crow said: "Compensation is a small price to pay for helping people who have witnessed traumatic events, or been assaulted by criminals in their workplace, to rebuild their lives. The attempt to tear away this safety net must be stopped."

The Ministry of Justice said the government was dedicated to preserving compensation to the most seriously injured victims of crime.

Where less serious injuries have been caused, taxpayers' money was better spent providing support and help rather than what are often small payments well after the crime has been committed, it claimed.

But CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: "The Conservatives say they are tough on crime. Today they have shown they are tough on the victims of crime."

If you have enjoyed this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep publishing your paper.

Donate to the Fighting Fund here Private and public-sector unions will descend on Westminster today to protest against controversial changes to a scheme for compensating victims of crime.

The government has come under attack for ploughing ahead with reforms to the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme despite warnings it will hit shop, rail and postal workers injured in incidents.

Rail union RMT, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) and shopworkers' union Usdaw have said that train drivers affected by rail suicides, postal workers attacked by dogs and shop staff injured or traumatised by crime will be among those who will no longer be able to claim compensation under the plans.

The reforms were approved by nine votes to seven in a committee which Labour said was "stacked" with government supporters.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said at the time he was convinced the decision to target victims of crime in this way will come back to haunt the coalition government and every single MP who supports it.

"Any government prepared to cut vital financial support from the innocent victims of violent crime, while at the same time handing out tax cuts to millionaires, has surely lost its moral compass."

RMT said the government should be trying to cut crimes against workers, not compensation.

Speaking after one of his members won what is feared may be one of the last such compensation cases last week, general secretary Bob Crow said: "Compensation is a small price to pay for helping people who have witnessed traumatic events, or been assaulted by criminals in their workplace, to rebuild their lives. The attempt to tear away this safety net must be stopped."

The Ministry of Justice said the government was dedicated to preserving compensation to the most seriously injured victims of crime.

Where less serious injuries have been caused, taxpayers' money was better spent providing support and help rather than what are often small payments well after the crime has been committed, it claimed.

But CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: "The Conservatives say they are tough on crime. Today they have shown they are tough on the victims of crime."

If you have enjoyed this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep publishing your paper.

Donate to the Fighting Fund here Private and public-sector unions will descend on Westminster today to protest against controversial changes to a scheme for compensating victims of crime.

The government has come under attack for ploughing ahead with reforms to the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme despite warnings it will hit shop, rail and postal workers injured in incidents.

Rail union RMT, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) and shopworkers' union Usdaw have said that train drivers affected by rail suicides, postal workers attacked by dogs and shop staff injured or traumatised by crime will be among those who will no longer be able to claim compensation under the plans.

The reforms were approved by nine votes to seven in a committee which Labour said was "stacked" with government supporters.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said at the time he was convinced the decision to target victims of crime in this way will come back to haunt the coalition government and every single MP who supports it.

"Any government prepared to cut vital financial support from the innocent victims of violent crime, while at the same time handing out tax cuts to millionaires, has surely lost its moral compass."

RMT said the government should be trying to cut crimes against workers, not compensation.

Speaking after one of his members won what is feared may be one of the last such compensation cases last week, general secretary Bob Crow said: "Compensation is a small price to pay for helping people who have witnessed traumatic events, or been assaulted by criminals in their workplace, to rebuild their lives. The attempt to tear away this safety net must be stopped."

The Ministry of Justice said the government was dedicated to preserving compensation to the most seriously injured victims of crime.

Where less serious injuries have been caused, taxpayers' money was better spent providing support and help rather than what are often small payments well after the crime has been committed, it claimed.

But CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: "The Conservatives say they are tough on crime. Today they have shown they are tough on the victims of crime."

If you have enjoyed this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep publishing your paper.

Donate to the Fighting Fund here Private and public-sector unions will descend on Westminster today to protest against controversial changes to a scheme for compensating victims of crime.

The government has come under attack for ploughing ahead with reforms to the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme despite warnings it will hit shop, rail and postal workers injured in incidents.

Rail union RMT, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) and shopworkers' union Usdaw have said that train drivers affected by rail suicides, postal workers attacked by dogs and shop staff injured or traumatised by crime will be among those who will no longer be able to claim compensation under the plans.

The reforms were approved by nine votes to seven in a committee which Labour said was "stacked" with government supporters.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said at the time he was convinced the decision to target victims of crime in this way will come back to haunt the coalition government and every single MP who supports it.

"Any government prepared to cut vital financial support from the innocent victims of violent crime, while at the same time handing out tax cuts to millionaires, has surely lost its moral compass."

RMT said the government should be trying to cut crimes against workers, not compensation.

Speaking after one of his members won what is feared may be one of the last such compensation cases last week, general secretary Bob Crow said: "Compensation is a small price to pay for helping people who have witnessed traumatic events, or been assaulted by criminals in their workplace, to rebuild their lives. The attempt to tear away this safety net must be stopped."

The Ministry of Justice said the government was dedicated to preserving compensation to the most seriously injured victims of crime.

Where less serious injuries have been caused, taxpayers' money was better spent providing support and help rather than what are often small payments well after the crime has been committed, it claimed.

But CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: "The Conservatives say they are tough on crime. Today they have shown they are tough on the victims of crime."

If you have enjoyed this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep publishing your paper.

Donate to the Fighting Fund here http://morningstaronline.co.uk/content/view/full/5909" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;