Question reference: S5W-05385
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 7 December 2016
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 16 December 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in establishing the victim surcharge fund, and when it expects the fund to (a) be operational and (b) issue its first payment.
Answer
Work continues to finalise arrangements for the establishment and administration of the victim surcharge fund. This work has included further detailed consideration of viable options for delivery and the potential role of third sector or other organisations in this process.
It is the Scottish Government’s intention to establish the fund in 2017 and to initially impose the surcharge on offenders given a court fine. Further details of how the fund will operate will be set out in subordinate legislation, which will be subject to parliamentary approval in due course.