Compensation for the 7th July bombings

[el Chi]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4741579.stm

So, the Home Office is giving families of the victims of the 7th July bombings "bereavement compensation". £11,000 isn't the largest amount of money when you consider that some people may have lost their sole bread winner, but £500,000 is quite a step up. I have a problem with money as a replacement for a lost loved one in the first place (if it's a chunk out of the family's income then I see the point) so I'm a tad wary of this idea, however that's really a different discussion.

What DOES concern me is this: Is it the government's place to shell out for something that they didn't really have control over?

Perhaps YES, the money does have to come from somewhere. However as it wasn't directly their fault, are they really liable? Are the families within their rights to demand more, and if so do they have the right to go all the way up to £500,000?

 

[CptStern]

tricky situation ...how do you put a price on a family member? that said, even though the government was not directly responsible they do have a responsibiliy to their citizens safety and well being. The compensation is appropriate imho

 

[el Chi]

I see your point, but were you saying that the £11,000 was fair, or that the principle of governmental compensation was fair?
What concerns me is that it all comes out of tax payers' money that could otherwise go to schools, hospitals, councils, etc. I'm not suggesting they don't deserve anything at all, but I think £500,000 times however many victims there were is going to take a huge chunk out of funds, which worries me. I think that amount is too steep, to be quite frank.

 

[CptStern]

I see your point, but were you saying that the £11,000 was fair, or that the principle of governmental compensation was fair?

the principle of governmental compensation is fair

What concerns me is that it all comes out of tax payers' money that could otherwise go to schools, hospitals, councils, etc. I'm not suggesting they don't deserve anything at all, but I think £500,000 times however many victims there were is going to take a huge chunk out of funds, which worries me. I think that amount is too steep, to be quite frank.

I cant really comment on what figure is appropriate as I dont know how they're judging who gets what ...11,000 seems very low as a compensation for a human life ...I guess if you factor in life time earning potential ..say a father of 2 who's the sole provider for his family ...they have an obligation to ensure that that family doesnt slip through the cracks ..what's considered a living wage for a family of 4? I think it should be along those guidelines ...but I'm not in a position to make a proper assessment

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

Well, at least here in the states, it's common to have a life insurance policy. For times when things like terrorist attacks or major accidents happen, there are a lot of groups set up to help families who've lost someone who didn't have a life insurance policy.

For example, after 9/11, the 9/11 victims family fund I believe paid a certain amount to families.

There are also varying programs like for the children of lost servicemen/women, to be paid for their college and such.

 

[el Chi]

I remember reading that families of the victims of 9/11 got about £1million. Seriously.

 

[CptStern]

yes ..I listened to a cbc doc on the radio this morning and they said 9/11 families received $2 million each

 

[qckbeam]

yes ..I listened to a cbc doc on the radio this morning and they said 9/11 families received $2 million each

This is something that bothers me to no end. Why should huge sums of money be given to relatives of the Sept. 11th victims? The US government gave out $7 billion total through their victim compensation program, and I can't see the sense in that. I've heard it said that the money was given in apology- that the government is sorry it failed to protect it's citizens. So if my father were to be hit by a drunk driver while out taking his walk tonight would the government grant me any money because our local law enforcement failed to keep a drunk off the roads? I mean, a death in the family is a death in the family right? Wrong. I have a real problem with what I view as the government, along with the rest of society, placing the value of some lives on a golden pedestal above all others. It's not right.

 

[Ennui]

Qckbeam!

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

This is something that bothers me to no end. Why should huge sums of money be given to relatives of the Sept. 11th victims? The US government gave out $7 billion total through their victim compensation program, and I can't see the sense in that. I've heard it said that the money was given in apology- that the government is sorry it failed to protect it's citizens. So if my father were to be hit by a drunk driver while out taking his walk tonight would the government grant me any money because our local law enforcement failed to keep a drunk off the roads? I mean, a death in the family is a death in the family right? Wrong. I have a real problem with what I view as the government, along with the rest of society, placing the value of some lives on a golden pedestal above all others. It's not right.

I thought it was a seperate organization that did it via donations? Not sure now so correct me if wrong.

 

[qckbeam]

I thought it was a seperate organization that did it via donations? Not sure now so correct me if wrong.

Well from what I understand the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund (here) was the program responsible for dishing out some $7 billion dollars to families.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

Well from what I understand the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund (here) was the program responsible for dishing out some $7 billion dollars to families.

Ah.

Oh well, I'm not opposed to it.