First national day for terror victims marked with calls for better support
The UK held its first national day for victims and survivors of terrorism, with the PM pledging to consider a permanent memorial and survivors demanding compensation reform.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The United Kingdom marked its first ever national day for victims and survivors of terrorism on [date], with a ceremony in central London attended by survivors, bereaved families, and emergency service workers. The day was established following a Home Office review that found many survivors needed more support, and it aims to ensure that those affected by terrorism are not forgotten.
Among those present were Travis Frayne, seriously injured in the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack, and Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing the same year. Thelma Stober, injured in the 7/7 London bombings in 2005, and Polly Brooks, who survived the 2002 Bali bombings, also attended. Their stories highlighted the lasting physical and emotional scars of terrorism.
A report by the group Survivors Against Terror, co-authored by Brendan Cox, widower of murdered MP Jo Cox, was published to coincide with the day. It found that the state compensation scheme is fragmented and can leave survivors and bereaved families with unexpected and significant costs at a profoundly traumatic time. Cox said the system is "unfit for purpose" and that survivors are treated as if they are trying to game the system.
The government responded by saying that last year more than £180 million was paid to victims of violent crime, including terrorism. The Prime Minister, speaking at the ceremony, said he would consult survivors and victims about creating a permanent national memorial. He also said, "Your voices must be at the heart of every decision about how we remember and recognise those affected by terrorism." Security Minister Dan Jarvis attended the event and said the government is always looking at ways to overhaul the compensation process.
The national day will be commemorated annually in a different UK city each year, ensuring that victims and survivors across the country feel recognised and remembered. A two-minute silence is planned as part of future observances.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC One | Channel 4 | ITV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A national day of recognition for terror attack victims and survivors is the first of its kind. | · | |||
| A report co-authored by Brendan Cox found that terror attack survivors are being failed on a wide scale. | · | · | ||
| Survivors described the compensation scheme as dehumanising, unfit for purpose, and in need of an overhaul. | · | · | ||
| Survivors said the government should support citizens affected by terror and that they should receive automatic help. | · | · | ||
| The Prime Minister said he would look into creating a national memorial and consult on a permanent one. | · | · | ||
| A report by Survivors Against Terror urged the government to do more for survivors. | · | · | · | |
| A two-minute silence will be observed every year as part of the national day. | · | · | · | |
| Figen Murray campaigned for Martin's Law, which would require public venues to have emergency and security measures. | · | · | · | |
| Survivors called for more compensation and support for victims of terrorism. | · | · | · | |
| The day aims to ensure those affected by terrorism are not forgotten and to raise awareness about preventing terrorist attacks. | · | · | · | |
| The day is planned to be held in a different UK city each year. | · | · | · | |
| The government paid more than £180 million to victims of violent crime, including terrorism, last year. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This brief segment focused on the establishment of the national day and the critical report by Brendan Cox, highlighting that survivors are still being neglected. It gave minimal detail on the ceremony itself, instead emphasising the ongoing failures in support.
- “Victims and survivors from terror attacks have been given their first national day of recognition.”
- “Campaigners say they are still being mistreated and neglected.”
This channel provided a detailed report featuring survivor Travis Frayne and Figen Murray, focusing on the emotional impact and the inadequacy of the compensation scheme. It included a government response about £180 million paid out, balancing criticism with official figures.
- “Survivors of terror attacks say they're being let down and dehumanised by the process for claiming compensation from the government.”
- “It comes on the UK's first national day for victims and survivors of terror.”
This report focused on the inaugural event itself, with hundreds attending, and highlighted the importance of remembrance and awareness. It included a quote from Thelma Stober and noted that survivors want more support, but gave less detail on the compensation report.
- “The first ever national day for victims and survivors of terrorism.”
- “It's been a very long journey to get to here today.”
This channel gave a personal and emotional angle, featuring interviews with Travis Frayne, Figen Murray, and Thelma Stober. It stressed the lifelong impact of terrorism and the need for government responsibility, while also noting the Prime Minister's presence at the event.
- “Today is the first ever national day for victims and survivors of terrorism.”
- “I feel that any government should look after their citizens who have been caught up in terror attacks.”
This broadcast did not include coverage of the national day for terror victims; it focused on other news items such as river cruise complaints and the Premier League.
This report highlighted the Prime Minister's pledge to consider a permanent national memorial and included strong calls from survivors like Polly Brooks for automatic support. It balanced the ceremony with the ongoing campaign for compensation reform.
- “The Prime Minister today helped mark the first ever national day for victims and survivors of terrorism, and said he'd look into creating a national memorial in their honour.”
- “When you're thrown into this horrendousness of perhaps you're in hospital for a long time, you've lost a loved one, you can't work, you're in danger of losing your home, you should be automatically given some sort of help.”
This channel focused on the ceremony's formal elements, including a two-minute silence, and gave prominent voice to Brendan Cox's criticism of the compensation scheme. It also reported the Prime Minister's promise to fight for survivors, framing the day as a call to action.
- “every year two minutes of silence will be observed”
- “the current compensation scheme has failed survivors”
- “we will fight for you”
This channel provided a comprehensive report with survivor stories from Polly Brooks and Thelma Stober, detailed criticism of the compensation scheme by Brendan Cox, and the Prime Minister's pledge to consult on a permanent memorial. It ended with a call for action, noting survivors want warm words backed up by action.
- “Lives taken, hearts broken, families upended.”
- “The needs of victims and survivors and families of bereaved in need for recognition was not, wasn't recognised as something of a top priority frankly.”
- “Survivors now want the Prime Minister's warm words backed up by action.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.