FR-19 Response Accepted in Part Self-assessed

Tiered Redress Scheme

Recommendation

The Inquiry recommends that the UK government establishes a single redress scheme in England and Wales, taking into account devolved responsibilities. The detailed rules of, and funding for, this redress scheme should reflect the following core elements. Eligibility: Victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation that occurred in England and in Wales should be eligible to apply. Applicants must have experienced child sexual abuse and exploitation where there is a clear connection to State or non-State institutions in England and Wales. The scheme should be open to any victim of child sexual abuse that took place prior to its establishment. The scheme should deduct any previous award from any payment under the scheme. Applicants who have previously brought civil claims which have been rejected by the court should be excluded from applying to the scheme, save where their cases have been rejected due to limitation. Redress provided: The scheme should provide payments to eligible applicants through a two-tier system, based on a fixed flat-rate recognition payment, with the option to apply for a second-tier payment. Process: The application process must be accessible and straightforward, and be sensitive to the needs and vulnerabilities of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. There should be special provisions to accelerate awards for older or terminally ill applicants. Duration: The scheme should run for five years. Funding: The scheme should be funded by central and local government, in accordance with devolved funding principles, with voluntary contributions sought from non-State institutions.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to Gov.uk progress update (8 April 2025), the government has not accepted the recommendation to establish a separate, national financial redress scheme for all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse with a connection to state or non-state institutions. According to Gov.uk progress update, the government cited "huge challenges" in establishing such a scheme.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
K.8
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part UK Government
22 May 2023

We accept the need to introduce a redress scheme to acknowledge the institutional failures that led to the suffering of victims and survivors. The detail of the scheme, including eligibility, types of redress available, the extent of any financial component, and application process, will be considered following extensive engagement, including with victims and survivors, third sector organisations, local authorities, insurers and lawyers.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
08 Apr 2025

Government is not pursuing a separate national redress scheme, citing fiscal constraints. Instead prioritizing therapeutic support and maintaining civil court access for survivors seeking compensation.

Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

No Meaningful Progress
21 Jan 2025
Home Affairs Select Committee Select Committee

Professor Alexis Jay told Home Affairs Committee that £187m was spent on IICSA and "to date none of its final recommendations had been implemented." Called for "full implementation" saying "get it done."

View detailed findings

As of December 2024, none of the 20 final report recommendations had been implemented. The previous government's response was described by Prof Jay as "very weak and, at times, apparently disingenuous."

Home Affairs Committee hearing, 21 January 2025 View Source
Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse 20 Oct 2022
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Last formal update 08 Apr 2025