We try to learn lessons from our work; particularly
after major incidents. We are conscious that the more we say we’ve improved our
service, the more provocative that might be — “why didn’t you do this before”. And yet, we know
that families will want reassurance that we have learnt lessons from our
handling of
What specific help is now available for victims of
terror overseas? Families were generally already aware of the package of
measures announced by the Secretary of State on 18 September. More recently, we
have revised this further to bring the policy on flights in line with that of the diplomatic service ie any flight over 3 hours will be business class rather
than economy. Separately, the Foreign Secretary has agreed to an “eight point
action plan” for future victims of terrorism and their families:
a) Access to counselling
or payment of up to £600 per person for up to 4 people per family of victims
(both bereaved and injured);
b) More active help to families to resolve
outstanding issues after they return to the
c) An automatic request to MPs to help victims’
families with local benefits/assistance;
d) An automatic request to NGOs to consider
setting up an appeal;
e) Ensuring that immediate consideration is given
to building a memorial;.
f) Taking responsibility for ensuring that there
is a memorial service shortly after the event and an anniversary service 12
months after the event;
g) Collation of messages
of condolence for families;
h) Automatic consultation with families concerned
after three to six months after the event for views on the standard of our
help;
• Counselling
Some of this is, of course, overtaken in the case of
the victims of the
• Memorial
With regards to a memorial for the victims of the