Legal Framework: Troubles-related incident Victims Payment Scheme

The UK Government has today published a consultation paper, A legal framework for a Troubles-related incident Victims Payment Scheme

The consultation will run for five weeks and the UK Government would welcome comments from anyone with an interest or view, to inform the shape of legislation to be introduced by end-January 2020.

In his foreword to the consultation, Rt Hon Julian Smith MP (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland) said:

As a society we have a moral duty to acknowledge and recognise the unacceptable suffering of those seriously injured in the Troubles as part of wider efforts to support Northern Ireland in building its future by doing more to address its past.

For too long this matter has stalled on the question of who should and who should not benefit from it.

While it will always be the preference of this Government that such provision is made by a Northern Ireland Executive, in its absence we are publishing this proposal for how a scheme could be delivered. This is a crucial element of the Stormont House Agreement’s proposals to help address the legacy of the Troubles, and it is vital that we make progress across this and related matters. We are committed to delivering better outcomes for all those affected by the Troubles and to continuing to play our part in promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.