Member

Tracey has since campaigned for reform of the ULS scheme, pushing for the 28-day time limit to be extended in exceptional circumstances, such as when the victim is not informed, and pushing for victims to be notified of their right to apply to the scheme. That is what Amendments 69 and 75 in this group seek to achieve. They would place a statutory duty on a government department, nominated by the Secretary of State, to inform victims and bereaved families of their right to appeal under the ULS scheme before or at the time of sentencing, mirroring the notification given to offenders. The amendments also call for an extension of the 28-day timeframe in exceptional circumstances, so that victims who were not informed of the scheme can still access it. I am afraid we cannot support Amendments 64, 65 and 66, tabled by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen, on extending the time from 28 days to 56. This extension is irrelevant if there is no statutory duty to report the sentence to a victim promptly, especially if there is no extension of the period in extenuating circumstances.