Victims of major disasters like Manchester Arena bombing and Grenfell Tower to get their own czar to fight for them
VICTIMS of major disasters like the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower fire will get their own czar to fight on their behalf.
They will get help from the new Independent Public Advocate to access financial, physical and mental health services as well as to understand their rights.
However, the IPA will not act as their legal representative, says the Ministry of Justice.
They will also advise government on whether a review or a public inquiry should take place and they will have the power to produce reports without a direct request from the Justice Secretary.
The creation of an IPA was first proposed by then-PM Theresa May in 2017.
It followed a report exposing failings in the treatment of bereaved families of the Hillsborough disaster.
READ MORE UK POLITICS
The role will cover events causing death or injury to a significant number of people.
As well as helping survivors and victims’ families, the IPA will build relationships with public bodies involved in the response.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is promising those affected will get vital emotional and practical support from day one.
He said: “These reforms will give victims a voice when decisions are made about the type of review or inquiry to be held into a disaster, and will help ensure lessons are learnt.”
