§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the target of handling 87,000 applications for criminal injuries compensation was not met in 2001–02. [68788]
§ Mr. Hilary Benn[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The figure of 87,000 cases comprised 84,000 tariff scheme cases and 3,000 residual old scheme cases. The total was an early planning figure based on predictions that some 83,000 new applications would be received in that year, a figure that was eventually undershot by nearly 5,000.
The old scheme cases proved more complicated and difficult to resolve than had been anticipated, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority had to devote greater staff effort to them. This inevitably, affected output on tariff scheme cases.