Victims of violent crimes are being compensated too slowly, the National Audit Office has said.
Victims of violent crimes are being compensated too slowly, the National Audit Office has said.
Its report said the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority took an average of 515 days to resolve cases in 2006/7 - up from 364 days in 1998/9.
Its report said the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority took an average of 515 days to resolve cases in 2006/7 - up from 364 days in 1998/9.
The public accounts committee chairman, Tory MP Edward Leigh, said the service was "slowly grinding to a halt".
The public accounts committee chairman, Tory MP Edward Leigh, said the service was "slowly grinding to a halt".
The CICA said it was aware of the failings and had made "major changes" in 2006 to "improve performance".
The CICA said it was aware of the failings and had made "major changes" in 2006 to "improve performance".
Thousands waiting
Thousands waiting
Over the last year, the public body received 61,000 applications for compensation and paid out £192m to victims.
Over the last year, the public body received 61,000 applications for compensation and paid out £192m to victims.
The authority is supposed to offer relief and help people who have been through traumatic experiences, but too often it adds to victims' woes Edward Leigh MP
The authority is supposed to offer relief and help people who have been through traumatic experiences, but too often it adds to victims' woes Edward Leigh MP
But although there was a 23% fall in the number of applications it received each year from 1998/9 to 2006/6 - in line with the fall in violent crime over the same timeframe - the average time take to resolve the cases rose by more than 40%.
But although there was a 23% fall in the number of applications it received each year from 1998/9 to 2006/6 - in line with the fall in violent crime over the same timeframe - the average time take to resolve the cases rose by more than 40%.
There is now a backlog of more than 81,000 people who are still waiting to find out if they will receive compensation.
There is now a backlog of more than 81,000 people who are still waiting to find out if they will receive compensation.
Mr Leigh said: "Applications are falling and the cost of processing a case is rising. In short, the taxpayer is paying even more money for a worse service.
Mr Leigh said: "Applications are falling and the cost of processing a case is rising. In short, the taxpayer is paying even more money for a worse service.
"The authority is supposed to offer relief and help people who have been through traumatic experiences, but too often it adds to victims' woes."
"The authority is supposed to offer relief and help people who have been through traumatic experiences, but too often it adds to victims' woes."
Victims of violent crime who apply for compensation deserve a good standard of service Carole Oatway CICA
Victims of violent crime who apply for compensation deserve a good standard of service Carole Oatway CICA
There are 25 levels of compensation award given to crime victims, ranging from £1,000 to £250,000, depending on the severity of the injury.
There are 25 levels of compensation award given to crime victims, ranging from £1,000 to £250,000, depending on the severity of the injury.
In the most serious cases, additional compensation is available to help cover lost earnings, as well as medical and care expenses.
In the most serious cases, additional compensation is available to help cover lost earnings, as well as medical and care expenses.
The NAO blamed "bureaucratic and repetitive" processes for the delays, adding that application forms were long and difficult to complete.
The NAO blamed "bureaucratic and repetitive" processes for the delays, adding that application forms were long and difficult to complete.
It said that to improve the service, the body needed better communication with potential applicants and people who had already applied for assistance.
It said that to improve the service, the body needed better communication with potential applicants and people who had already applied for assistance.
'Missed targets'
'Missed targets'
The report also said the CICA should provide guidance on what information was essential in order to improve the completeness of applications and reduce ineligible claims.
The report also said the CICA should provide guidance on what information was essential in order to improve the completeness of applications and reduce ineligible claims.
NAO head Sir John Bourn said: "The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's performance has got worse since I last reported on it in 2000.
NAO head Sir John Bourn said: "The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's performance has got worse since I last reported on it in 2000.
"It is taking longer to deal with cases, it has not reduced the number of ineligible applications and has frequently missed its targets over the years."
"It is taking longer to deal with cases, it has not reduced the number of ineligible applications and has frequently missed its targets over the years."
However, he said he expected the body would "make swift improvements in the service it provides to victims", and that the CICA had started a "major overhaul of how it operates".
However, he said he expected the body would "make swift improvements in the service it provides to victims", and that the CICA had started a "major overhaul of how it operates".
Carole Oatway, who became CICA chief executive in September as part of a reform programme, welcomed its publication as "a key contribution to the work already underway to improve its performance".
Carole Oatway, who became CICA chief executive in September as part of a reform programme, welcomed its publication as "a key contribution to the work already underway to improve its performance".
She said: "Victims of violent crime who apply for compensation deserve a good standard of service from CICA.
She said: "Victims of violent crime who apply for compensation deserve a good standard of service from CICA.
"We know that for many innocent victims of violent crime, a compensation payment from CICA is one of the key things they receive to show that society recognises what they have suffered."
"We know that for many innocent victims of violent crime, a compensation payment from CICA is one of the key things they receive to show that society recognises what they have suffered."
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