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CAMPAIGNERS have described the treatment of victims and survivors of terrorism as a "national scandal" as the UK marked its first dedicated memorial day for those affected by terror attacks.
The warning comes from Survivors Against Terror (SAT), a group co-founded by Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, whose death in West Yorkshire in 2016 shocked the nation.
A new report, authored by Mr Cox and fellow campaigners, found that while support in areas such as mental health has improved, many survivors continue to struggle with compensation, financial support and access to legal advice.
Lasting legacy of Jo Cox
The publication of the report comes 10 years after the murder of Jo Cox, whose death sent shockwaves across West Yorkshire and the wider country.
Hundreds gathered to pay tribute in the days after her death, including in her hometown and at Heckmondwike Grammar School, where she had been a pupil and head girl.
Jo Cox
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Then-prime minister David Cameron and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also visited Birstall following the attack.
Her sister, Kim Leadbeater, later followed her into politics and has served as Labour MP for Batley and Spen since 2021, while also helping to continue the community-focused work of the Jo Cox Foundation.
West Yorkshire campaigner highlights failings
Mr Cox, whose wife was shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in Birstall on June 16, 2016, said the report showed progress had been made in some areas but major shortcomings remained.
He said: "Today's first national memorial day for victims and survivors of terrorism is a moment when we hope the nation will remember the impact of terrorism on our fellow citizens.
"But survivors also want it to be a moment of accountability. This report shows the scale of progress it is possible to make and we welcome the changes on issues like mental health support in particular.
"But it also lays bare the scale of the failure on issues like compensation. The public expect survivors to be cared for, today's report shows that is a promise only being half kept."
The report assessed how well the Government is meeting the standards set out in SAT's proposed Survivors Charter, which argues that the state has a particular responsibility to victims because terrorist attacks are ultimately aimed at society and democratic institutions.
Campaigners said countries elsewhere in the world had recognised that responsibility and called for a similar approach in the UK.
Compensation system criticised
Researchers found support available to victims was often fragmented and inconsistent, particularly when it came to financial assistance.
The report criticised the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which handles compensation claims for victims of violent crime, including terrorism.
Only 9 per cent of survey respondents described the claims process as reasonable, while just 7 per cent believed it was sympathetic to survivors' needs.
Many survivors reported lengthy delays, poor communication and repeated requests for evidence, with some describing the process as retraumatising.
The report also found there was still no consistent system to ensure survivors could access independent legal advice throughout investigations, inquests and other legal processes following an attack.
Government response
A Government spokesperson said victims of terrorism should be able to access the support and compensation they deserve.
They said: "These brave victims should be able to access the financial compensation and support they deserve.
"This taxpayer funded scheme paid out more than £180 million last year to victims of violent crime – including terrorism – on top of a record £550 million investment in wider victim support services.
"That's alongside the recent launch of a dedicated support service for survivors of terror attacks, which provides specialist assistance throughout their recovery and helps them navigate the compensation process."