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72 victims still waiting for London bombing payouts
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor11.07.08
More than 70 victims of the 7/7 bombings are still awaiting full compensation, government figures revealed today.
Labour MP David Winnick branded the failure to sort out the payments more than three years after the atrocities in London as "unacceptable".
His outburst came after he received a Parliamentary answer from Justice Minister Maria Eagle which said that, as of 8 July, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority still has to finalise compensation to 72 of those injured in the bus and Tube blasts.
A final offer of cash to 18 of the cases has been made and of the remaining 54 active cases, 37 people have either received or been offered only an interim payment, four have been offered final awards but have rejected them, four are suspended and nine are subject to " continuing inquiries", Miss Eagle said.
Mr Winnick told the Evening Standard: "This is totally unacceptable."
On Monday, Mayor Boris Johnson and London Minister Tessa Jowell stood with survivors and victims' families to remember the 52 people killed.
Mr Johnson has written to Ms Jowell asking the Government to ensure the backlog is dealt with immediately.
CICA says £7.5 million has been paid to victims and relatives.
