Last Updated: 4 September 2026 I Reading Time: 5 minutes
Summary
At the UK’s inaugural National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, the Prime Minister spoke movingly about the Manchester Arena and Heaton Park attacks, and confirmed a review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The announcement follows a difficult year for CICA, with waiting times, complaints, and pressure on the scheme all rising.
Our consultant, Neil Sugarman, has spent decades representing victims of violent crime and has long campaigned for CICA reform. He has welcomed the review, while cautioning that meaningful change will depend on the resources CICA is actually given.
At GLP Solicitors, we see the human cost of CICA’s delays every day. This article looks at what has been announced, what Neil had to say, and what it could mean for anyone waiting on a claim.
Quick answer
The Prime Minister has announced a review of the CICA scheme following concerns over long delays, low awareness, and a rise in complaints. Our consultant Neil Sugarman has welcomed the move but says real improvement depends on the Government backing reform with proper funding, not just structural changes. GLP Solicitors continues to support victims through the CICA process while these changes are considered.
In this article
- What was announced, and why
- CICA’s current performance
- Neil Sugarman’s response
- Why funding matters as much as reform
- How GLP Solicitors can help
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key takeaways
- The Prime Minister has promised a review of the CICA scheme, alongside a consultation on a permanent national memorial to victims of terrorism.
- The review follows CICA’s latest annual report, which showed more than half of applicants waiting over a year for a decision.
- Complaints to CICA have nearly doubled in the last 12 months.
- Neil Sugarman, GLP’s consultant and former APIL President, says the delays are nothing new, and that resourcing is the key issue.
- The Government has said there is currently no appetite to change the scheme on cost grounds, though a review may still bring practical improvements.
- CICA paid out more than £180 million in compensation last year, its highest total since 2020, but this hasn’t stopped waiting times growing.
- Victims often don’t realise they may be entitled to claim, or feel unable to face the process alone.
- GLP Solicitors supports people through every stage of a CICA claim, from eligibility to appeal.
What was announced, and why
Speaking at the UK’s first National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, the Prime Minister paid tribute to survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and the Heaton Park synagogue attack, describing how many victims have not had the support they deserved and have had to fight for it in the aftermath.
He confirmed that justice minister Alex Davies-Jones will lead a review of CICA, looking at issues including access to legal representation, wider reform of the scheme itself, and lessons that might be learned from other countries. A consultation on a permanent national memorial for victims of terrorism was also announced.
For many people in Greater Manchester, this will feel personal. The Arena attack, and its long aftermath, has shaped how victims here think about compensation, recognition, and support.
CICA’s current performance
The review comes at a difficult time for the scheme. CICA’s latest annual report showed:
- More than half of applicants are waiting over a year for a final decision.
- The authority missed its own targets for resolving cases within six months and within a year.
- Complaints have nearly doubled in the past 12 months, though more than half of appeals against decisions have been at least partly successful.
- CICA’s chief executive has acknowledged that a decision to cut phone line hours, in order to prioritise processing applications, was the wrong call.
Victim Support has described the figures as concerning, and said the system currently asks too much of victims, takes too long, and is overly complex.
Neil Sugarman’s response
Our consultant Neil Sugarman has spent his career representing victims of violent crime, and previously served as President of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). He has worked directly with Andy Burnham on victims’ issues during his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Responding to CICA’s annual report, Neil said the findings confirmed worries that have existed for a long time about delays built into the system. He noted that whilst the Government has so far shown no appetite to change the scheme on cost grounds, he believes “even relatively modest increases in resources for the CICA would be beneficial.”
Neil believes Andy Burnham, given his personal history with victims of the Arena attack, is well placed to push for the CICA to receive proper funding, not just a change of process.
It’s a view we share at GLP. Reviews and reforms matter, but they only go so far if the CICA isn’t given the resources to act on them.
Why funding matters as much as reform
It’s easy to focus on process when a scheme is criticised, restructure the forms, change the guidance, promise faster decisions. But as Neil points out, the real bottleneck is capacity. Staff need time to properly assess applications; applicants need to be able to reach someone when they have questions; and appeals need to be dealt with quickly when the wrong decision has been made.
Without funding behind it, a review risks becoming another document that identifies the same problems without solving them. That’s why Neil’s message, that resourcing has to be part of any reform, feels so important right now.
How GLP Solicitors can help
We understand that pursuing a CICA claim can feel overwhelming, particularly for anyone who has already been through a traumatic experience. Our team supports clients through every stage of the process, including:
- Assessing whether you’re eligible to claim
- Helping you gather the evidence CICA needs
- Managing communication with CICA on your behalf
- Appealing decisions that don’t reflect what happened to you
- Supporting you patiently through delays that are, unfortunately, common under the current system
We’ve represented victims of violent crime for many years, and we know how much a fair, timely decision can mean, not just financially, but as recognition of what someone has been through.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government body that can award compensation to victims of violent crime, including terrorism, in England, Wales and Scotland. It’s designed to help with the financial and personal impact of being a victim of crime.
CICA’s own figures show more than half of applicants currently wait over a year for a final decision. Waiting times can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the evidence involved.
Yes. Victims of terrorism, including those affected by the Manchester Arena attack, can potentially apply to CICA for compensation, subject to the scheme’s eligibility criteria and time limits.
The review, announced by the Prime Minister, will look at reforming CICA, including access to legal support, and consider lessons from schemes in other countries. It follows concerns about delays and complaints within the current system.
You don’t have to use a solicitor to apply, but the process can be complex, particularly around evidence and appeals. Many people find it helpful to have experienced support alongside them.
You have the right to ask for a review of the decision, and if necessary, to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. More than half of appeals to CICA decisions are at least partly successful, which shows how important it can be to challenge a refusal.
Yes, there are strict time limits for applying to CICA, which can vary depending on your circumstances. It’s best to seek advice as early as possible if you think you may have a claim.