The Scottish Government will fast track payments to victims and survivors of care homes there in April. Up to £10 million in compensation packages will be paid, initially to people whose age or health means they might not live to see a wider planned compensation scheme rolled out.
“We have heard from the Secretary of State she is considering ‘further actions’ on the issue of historical institutional abuse, but we still see scant evidence of this occurring. Meanwhile, victims and survivors are still waiting over two years since the Hart Inquiry concluded, with the real risk justice will come too late.
“We now see in Scotland a clear model of legislation being brought forward but also, vitally, payment to elderly and infirm victims being prioritised and made swiftly even prior to the conclusion of the legislative process. Given the Hart Inquiry recommendations are accepted in Northern Ireland, there is no reason this same process should not be paralleled here.