Campaigners are calling for an end to the 30-year freeze on compensation for victims of crime, arguing that the current maximum of £500,000 is insufficient to cover lifetime care costs. The cap, set in April 1996 by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), applies to victims in England, Scotland, and Wales who have suffered severe injuries such as brain damage or paralysis.
New figures show that if the limit had risen with inflation, it would now be over £1 million, more than double the current amount. Victims and lawyers warn that the money will run out, leaving individuals without vital support and affecting their quality of life.
Craig Lewis-Williams, 50, from north Wales, was left with brain damage after an attack in November 2021. He received the maximum payout on appeal, but his wife, Anna, fears it will not last. “Things are going to need replacing like his wheelchair and the van… It’s not going to last. He’s just turned 50 and the expected life age of a male is 75 to 80,” she said.
Nichola, from north-west England, has similar concerns for her adopted teenage daughter Lou, who has learning difficulties due to brain damage from prenatal drug exposure. “She’s got a significant amount of money… but it’s got to last her a lifetime and she’s very young, so it might have to last her another 80 years,” Nichola said.
Neil Sugarman, a lawyer and former president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, described the 30th anniversary as a “wake-up call”. He said: “For adults and children who suffer catastrophic brain injury… the fact that they have to manage with this amount for life through no fault of their own is an insult.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with all victims of violent crime. We’re leaving no stone unturned to make sure brave survivors get the support they deserve, with over £164m paid out by the taxpayer-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in 2024-25.”
