Lambeth chiefs: We are minimising legal costs for abuse survivors and processing payments as fast as possible
Lambeth town hall bosses say their pioneering compensation scheme for abuse survivors is keeping lawyers’ fees down and pushing payments through as quickly as possible.
They have hit back at claimaants’ solicitors, who say the cost of administering the scheme is too high and abused people are having to wait too long.
Lawyers also say some of the thousands of vulnerable former residents of the 32 Lambeth children’s homes may not be able to lodge their claims in time – the window closes at the end of this year.
The Shirley Oaks Survivors Association also said today that is is alarmed that the cost of administering the scheme almost matched the discretionary payments which have been made so far to 68 former residents.
But Lambeth chiefs said in response to today’s comments: “Lambeth is the first local authority in the country to run its own redress scheme, meaning no survivor will have to restate their experience of abuse, in court, to get compensation. It is expected to cost £100 million.
“The scheme is delivering on the council’s pledge to give abuse survivors swift and compassionate redress, while minimising legal fees.
“More than 1,000 applications for compensation have been made in the first 12 months. Most are for a Harms Way Payment of up to £10,000 – which is being paid within 43 working-days on average. This is compensation that would not be available without the redress scheme.
“Some claims, which can date back as far at the 1930s, are more complex. But the scheme means they are also being dealt with quickly, and the compensation being paid can increase when extra information is provided.
“Anywhere in the country, outside of Lambeth, civil claims of this type can take more than two-years – under the scheme they are taking on average seven months.
“Lambeth council is continuing to closely monitor the scheme, promote it, as well as working hard to support survivors and get feedback from applicants about their experiences.”
Pictured is Shirley Oaks Children’s Home in Croydon, where 78 per cent of the claimants were placed.
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
