Victims of crime ‘let down’ by delay on cash aid fund

SNP ministers have been accused of letting down crime victims after the delay of a lifeline fund.

The Scottish Government and Victim Support Scotland, which was supposed to be running the scheme, yesterday blamed each other for the hold-up.

When announced in 2014, the Victims Surcharge Fund vowed it would see offenders pay £1million a year to support victims, with the cash going into a pot to provide emergency help, such as changing locks after a break-in.

Yesterday, the Scottish Government said the delay was due to ‘ongoing preparations around the administration of the fund’, which is the responsibility of Victim Support Scotland.

However, the charity hit back, with chief executive officer Susan Gallagher saying: ‘The regulations for the new Victims Surcharge Fund have yet to be laid before parliament.’

She also pointed out that Victim Support Scotland runs its own fund to help those affected by crime, though that comes from the charity’s own resources.

The Scottish Daily Mail revealed in May last year that Victim Support Scotland had a £250,000 deficit and staff were facing compulsory redundancy. Yesterday, Mrs Gallagher insisted there was no longer a deficit.

Scottish Labour justice spokesman Graeme Pearson said: ‘This is another example of an SNP government headline full of promises but empty when it comes to delivery.’

Scottish Tory chief whip John Lamont said: ‘Despite all their grand gestures and promises, once again the Scottish Government continues to let down the victims of crime.’

Lib Dem justice spokesman Alison McInnes added that victims ‘need this support to be better able to cope’.

A Scottish G over n ment spokesman said: ‘Work to finalise necessary legal and practical arrangements for the Victim Surcharge Fund is currently ongoing. In the meantime, the Scottish Government continues to support Victim Support Scotland’s existing victims fund for providing immediate assistance to victims.’