TWO Oxfordshire MPs will today help decide the future of compensation for criminal injuries in the UK.

Oxford East Labour MP Andrew Smith and Henley’s Tory MP John Howell both sit on the committee which will look at changes to the government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

The scheme currently grants compensation to those injured as a result of a crime.

In September, proposed changes to the scheme were thrown out after MPs, including four Tories, raised concerns.

One of the changes was in the eligibility of victims of certain crimes, such as dog bites.

But the bill will today be back in front of 18 MPs in Westminster.

Mr Smith said: “This is a totally indefensible attack on the victims of crime.

“It is very wrong to cut compensation even for victims suffering permanent disability as a result of a crime. The Government should be ashamed of itself and think again. ”

Mr Howell disagreed and said the proposed changes should go ahead.

He added: “The Government has considered the points raised by the previous committee but is of the opinion that no changes are required. I tend to agree with them.”

The changes have been opposed by a number of professional bodies, including the Usdaw trade union.

General secretary John Hannett said: “Usdaw is absolutely dismayed that despite all the talk of a ‘rethink’ and ‘hearing what MPs say’, the Government is clearly determined to plough on regardless and try to use its payroll vote to slash vital financial support for innocent victims of violent crime.”