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Britons caught up in terror attacks abroad could get up to £1million in compensation from the Government, under plans revealed today.
Ministers are considering setting up a fund for those injured in atrocities overseas. It would be the first time British victims receive such payouts.
The £250,000 cap for those in attacks on British soil could also be lifted. But campaigners fear the Government will go back on a commitment to make payments retrospective. Those injured in the Bali and the Mumbai attacks could be left without a penny.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Alan Johnson are said to be in favour of retrospective payments but face opposition from some of the Cabinet. A Whitehall source said: "We want to sort this."
Labour MP Ian McCartney said: "You cannot have two classes of citizen, where as soon as you put a toenail over the English Channel you are denied rights." Will Pike, 29, left unable to walk after the Mumbai bombings last year, said: "The overall cost would be £20million which, in the grand scheme of the war on terrorism, is not a lot."
Reader views (3)
So anyone with a British passport, which means half of Pakistan for a start, will be eligible for £1 million freebie?
Brilliant. This socialist government cannot give our money away quickly enough.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
The Mumbai bombings on the tourist areas was a totally unexpected event.
It would be ludicrous for Britain's to be expected to pay out for citizens of say, Asian origin, going 'back home' to say, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kashmir. Or anybody visiting family in countries where fighting or war is going on. Not only would such a system be open and rife to abuse, it would provoke a very angry reaction from the taxpayer.
The scheme does sound fair if people are genuinely travelling simply as tourists. The Forein Office would have to rigorously keep up its list of places and countries unsafe to visit. If people choose to visit places where there is a danger, then they would do so at their own risk and be ineligible for any payouts.
- Mark, London
I hope this doesn't extend to the 'British' asians that happened to be in Lahore.
- Eddie, London
