Member

Broadening the taxpayer-funded scheme would also put it under more financial pressure. It is already facing record and increasing demand. There is also a further aspect. The amendment would not achieve what the noble Lord intends, because although the Secretary of State creates the scheme, he does not exercise any other functions in relation to it. That is the job of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which already considers when assessing every application whether the conduct in question amounts to a crime of violence, because that is a core eligibility requirement. It is considered on a case-by-case basis.