FUNDING FOR SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF ROAD CRASH VICTIMS

Early day motion 564, tabled 12 July 2005 by Linda Riordan (Labour). Signed by 47 members.

That this House is concerned at the lack of statutory provision of support for families bereaved by road crashes beyond Home Office funding for one support guide by the charity BRAKE; notes that this is in stark contrast to the £30 million Government funding for Victim Support for families of other crimes; further notes that bereavement damages to families bereaved by road deaths are only £10,000 and unless a family member witnessed the death they cannot claim compensation for trauma; welcomes the fact that BRAKE and the Motor Accident Solicitors society are campaigning against the proposal to raise the small claims limit from £1,000, which would limit support for injured victims; acknowledges that many people whose loved ones are killed on the road have extreme traumatic stress symptoms that can lead to long-term illness and depression; believes that this places a burden on the NHS that could be avoided by timely, professionally managed support for these families; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to provide funding for voluntary led support agencies such as BRAKE and funding for professional trauma counsellors across the NHS, and urgently to review the civil claim regulations.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.