PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

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Barclay A.A. Stanley
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PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Barclay A.A. Stanley »

Is the victim's bill of rights necessary? Not necessary? Too much? Too little?
Lt. Col. Sir Barclay A.A. Stanley, Rtd., KBE
Member of Parliament for Macclesfield

Armed with nothing but a pint of gin, Sir Barclay went to battle against the forces of Communism, Socialism, and Liberalism.
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Dame Evelyn Redgrave
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Dame Evelyn Redgrave »

For a victim of crime, the impact of the offence lasts long after the crime against them has been committed. We must ensure that victims are given all the support they need, particularly when going through the criminal justice system. Therefore, I have spoken in the House today, in my capacity as Shadow Home Secretary, to offer Conservative support for the Victims Bill of Rights Act that the Government have proposed.

We agree with the need for a framework for the rights of victims of crime, with measures and bodies to enforce these rights and to ensure that staff working with victims and in criminal justice receive specialist training about victims. The Home Secretary is right when he says this cannot be a party political issue and I believe that all parties must work across the House to ensure the legislation is as strong as it can be.

To this end, I have proposed three amendments to the legislation to ensure certain requirements or make obligations clearer with regards to training, the awarding of compensation and the accountability of the Victims Rights Board. The Shadow Cabinet, through amendments and debate, will work constructively with the Government on this matter, working in the interest of ensuring that victims of crime receive the support they so badly need.
Dame Evelyn Redgrave MP
Member of Parliament for South West Hertfordshire (1997-present)

Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party (2001-present)
Shadow Home Secretary (2001-present)


Shadow Minister of State for Schools (1998-2000)
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (2000-2001)
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Andy Edwards
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Andy Edwards »

It's my hope that the support from the Opposition for the Government's move to create a clearly-defined and enforceable set of rights for victims doesn't spark an internal conflict like other issues have. We welcome the support of the Opposition on this legislative proposal and it's my personal hope that debate makes this bill stronger in a way that serves those who need protection the most. You can find too many examples where victims felt as though they were left behind or allowed to fall through the cracks. We don't think that's because of any nefarious actors, but by putting it down, in force of law, that victims have rights to be informed and that they have the right to participate, it's our goal that those who suffer the most and the most directly from crime have their ability to be compensated, included, and heard protected.

These rights are absolutely necessary, and I look forward to living up to the charge of the bill by not only preparing a comprehensive set of rights as Parliament will charge me, but ensure those rights are enforced and updated as need be. This Government knows we cannot ignore the voice of the victim, and we're doing what is right to include victims of crime in the criminal justice process.
Andrew Edwards MP
MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston (1992-) | Labour
Secretary of State for the Home Office (2001-)
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Will Frost
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Will Frost »

I commend my friend the Shadow Home Secretary for the work she has done to add constructive value to the Government's proposals, and welcome the Home Secretary's indication that he will work with the Conservative Party in this effort. Doing everything in our power to ensure victims of crime receive the total support and protection they need is our duty as public servants, and it is far too important a task to be undermined by partisanship or political differences. The amendments made by Dame Evelyn underscore the sort of Opposition the Conservative Party intends to be, and highlights our willingness to put country over party on areas of national importance. I believe passionately that our responsibility to the nation is not simply to hold the Government accountable for their missteps, but to work with them to achieve meaningful change for the British people we all serve. I look forward to offering these amendments my full and total support during the debate on the Government's legislation.
Will Frost MP
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Sir Jack Anderson
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

The government has made clear that not just being tough on crime, we will take unprecedented action to protect, safeguard and support victims of crime. I am pleased to see this is an issue which can gather cross party consensus. Furthermore, I am happy to make clear that the government will be investing an unprecedented £45 million to support victims of crime in the upcoming budget, ensuring that they can be supported through the establishment of the Victims Rights' Board and investing tens of millions in compensation to support victims of crime.
Sir Jack Anderson
Labour Party.
Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
First Secretary of State. (2001-)
Charles Trenython
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Charles Trenython »

I am proud to be in a Government which is world leading in the fight against crime and safeguarding victims of crime. Back in 1985, the United Nations prepared a declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, stating victims 'should be treated with compassion and respect for their dignity.'. Victims are 'entitled to access to the mechanisms of justice and to prompt redress, as provided for by national legislation, for the harm that they have suffered.'. Today, we can be proud say we have implemented many of these goals.

The United Kingdom is leading the way and setting an example for other countries to follow. We have already thrived as a country on leading by example and I look forward to working with European partners and beyond to promote the examples we have followed in our national legislation through our Bill of Rights put before the House of Commons.
CHARLES TRENYTHON MP | Labour MP for Burton
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (2000-present)
Secretary of State for Defence (2000-present)
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Andy Edwards
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Andy Edwards »

This Government's legislation marks a huge step forward for Britain's role as a global leader, as my colleague the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has said. It shows that we are serious when it comes to protecting basic rights that people have. At the same time, this legislation just makes sense. People who are victims and who have suffered have every right to be kept informed of the status of the cases that relate to crimes against them- even if charges are dropped for whatever the reason. And those who have suffered, even if it's not a physical injury, are entitled to compensation. This legislation is an important part of the criminal justice system; as a society we need to make sure that victims of crime do not become victims again of an uncaring and unjust system. This Government is taking the first of many steps towards a system that is fair to all those who are impacted by crime, and I'm glad that this is something that sees true cross-party support.
Andrew Edwards MP
MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston (1992-) | Labour
Secretary of State for the Home Office (2001-)
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Dame Evelyn Redgrave
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Dame Evelyn Redgrave »

I welcome the move by the Chancellor to invest £45 million to support victims of crime in the upcoming budget, helping to establish the Victims Rights Board and ensuring tens of millions in compensation to support victims of crime. I can confirm, after discussions with my friend the Shadow Chancellor, that the Conservatives will match such commitments in our upcoming Shadow Budget and indeed match existing funding from Labour as an absolute baseline during our first Budget in government.

Additionally, I can say that a Conservative government would review the level of funding during each year of its term of office, with an eye towards increasing funding when needed to always ensure that ample funds are available to compensate victims of crime.
Dame Evelyn Redgrave MP
Member of Parliament for South West Hertfordshire (1997-present)

Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party (2001-present)
Shadow Home Secretary (2001-present)


Shadow Minister of State for Schools (1998-2000)
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (2000-2001)
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Rebecca Flair
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Rebecca Flair »

The Liberal Democrats welcome the Victim's Bill of Rights and the focus that it places on the victims of crime. Whilst I am personally concerned that the system as presented could lead to a situation where the perpetrators of crime could avoid pay victim surcharges I am happy to vote for the legislation and trust that the Home Office keeps that potential eventuality under observation and review. It is essential that we continue to focus on crime not as a simple matter of punishment but that we focus on the people involved, both the victim and the offender, the Liberal Democrats will present a vision that focuses even more on people over the coming Parliament.
Rebecca Flair
MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale 2010 - Present

Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2015 - Present
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Alex Cardigan
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Re: PC 7: Victim's Bill of Rights

Post by Alex Cardigan »

The punishment of criminals in this country has, for too long, been seen as the only real factor required in crime. There is an almost Victorian tendency amongst many politicians, that has riddled past governments, and has led to ineffective and authoritarian legislation becoming prevalent throughout our criminal justice system. But that word, justice, is rarely meaningfully considered. And that animal impulse to punish and subdue often wins the battle against the more thoughtful approach taken by many of our European friends. This legislation is a good thing, and I will be supporting it. However I wish to call for the government to go further.

This country's prisons are scandalously poor. Reoffending rates are enormously high, and unnecessarily so. If one wishes to learn how to pursue a career in high-level crime, a prison is the best possible training ground. If we wish to create a rounded and fair justice system, as we should, we need to take a wider scope to justice. This legislation is a good effort at expanding that scope, of our justice system, but I implore the government to take us further down that pathway to change, and not to simply leave it here.
The Rt Hon. Alexander Simon "Alex" Cardigan MP
Deputy Leader of the Opposition (2015 to present)
MP for Kensington (1974 to present)
Secretary of State for International Development (2010 to 2015) | Shadow Secretary of State for International Development (2005 to 2010) | Shadow Secretary of State for Trade (1997 to 1999) | Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1995 to 1997) | Secretary of State for National Heritage (1992 to 1995) | Minister for Schools (1990 to 1992) | Minister for Foreign Affairs (1979 to 1981)
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