To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy that compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is not treated as capital for the purposes of assessing the victims entitlement to income-related benefit; and if he will make a statement. [116038]

Lump sum payments from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Agency made directly to the injured person or someone acting on their behalf, or to a contingency fund as part of a structured settlement are subject to the normal capital rules when assessing entitlement to income-related benefits. However, payments placed in a trust fund for the injured person are disregarded in full. We have no plans to change this policy.