Criminals to pay for support for victims
It'll come into effect on November 25th
Last updated 13th Sep 2019
Scots who fall victim to crime will soon get additional financial support - paid for by criminals.
Under a new scheme starting later in the year, a victim surcharge will be levied on top of all fines in Scottish courts, with the money going towards a fund that can be used by those who suffer at the hands of offenders.
Victims and support organisations will be able to apply to the fund for the costs of providing short-term and practical support, such as new windows and locks for burglary victims or funeral expenses for families of murder victims.
Under the plan, victim surcharges would range from £10 on fines up to £200, to £350 on fines between £5,000.01 and £10,000, while court-ordered fines of more than £10,000 would incur a charge of 7.5% of the fine.
The charge will apply to all crimes committed on or after November 25 2019, with payments from the fund starting six to 12 months later.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "Experiencing crime can be an isolating and frightening experience and we are committed to improving the experiences of victims in our justice system.
"It's only right that criminals should pay towards helping victims to recover and move on with their lives.
"The money raised through the surcharge will pay for practical support that will make a real difference to victims and their families.
"While Scotland's long-term fall in crime means fewer people fall prey to criminals, we are continuing to invest #18 million annually to improve support, advice and information for victims.
"This new fund will be a valuable addition to support available and we have worked with the UK Government to ensure the necessary legislative arrangements are in place to allow its operation.
"Over the coming year we will also be carrying out further work to better understand where the gaps are in how Scotland supports victims and witnesses.''
Scottish courts imposed 38,474 fines in 2017-18 and, while the amount of money available in the victim support fund will depend on crime levels and the types of punishments handed out by judges, the Scottish Government estimates that, after four or five years, the surcharge will raise approximately #800,000 a year.
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Liam McArthur MSP welcomed the plans but was critical that it will be six years since Parliament approved legislation by the time any payments from the fund are made.
Mr McArthur said: "This fund was a flagship feature of the Victims and Witnesses Act but it has taken six years to come into effect.
"Victims of crime have missed out on millions of pounds of criminals' cash as a result of the SNP's dithering. They include people who ministers said have nowhere else to turn.
"The SNP said they could set up an independent country in 18 months. They couldn't even set up a system to deliver the victim surcharge without it taking six years."
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