Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 41
41
Accepted
Paragraph: 134
Extend reply requirement for Victims' Commissioner's recommendations to include thematic reports
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s proposal for those subject to recommendations in the Victims’ Commissioner’s Annual Report to be required to reply to 58 Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Victims Bill those recommendations and to do so within 56 days. We recommend that the requirement is extended to include the Victim’s Commissioner’s thematic reports to help support their recommendations being taken forward. We note that such a requirement already exists with respect to reports produced by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.
Government Response Summary
The government agreed that agencies within the Victims’ Commissioner’s remit should be required to respond to all reports, including thematic reports, and committed to implementing this change ahead of the Bill's introduction.
Paragraph Reference:
134
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
68. We agree that agencies within the Victims’ Commissioner’s remit should be required to respond to all reports produced. We will implement this change ahead of introduction. Clause 12, joint inspections relating to victims Recommendation 42 and 43 We recommend that the Victims Bill places a duty on HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, HM Inspectorate of Probation, HM Inspectorate of Prisons and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate to consult the Victims’ Commissioner annually on how the victims’ experiences should be incorporated into their ongoing programme of inspections. We agree with the Government’s intention to increase the inspectorates’ focus on victims. The inspectorates should be required to consult the Victims’ Commissioner and consider representations and data from PCCs as part of the development of their work programme. 69. We agree with the recommendation that the inspectorates should be required to consult with the Victims’ Commissioner and will seek to implement this change. We will work closely with the Victims’ Commissioner and inspectorates to develop a framework, as well as affected departments and agencies. Data sharing between the PCCs and inspectorates is addressed in paragraph 38 as part of the response to recommendation 25.