article_snippet: a Department of Health spokeswoman said the NHS had not set aside a ‘specific pot’ of money, but added: ‘We are committed to picking up any claims the estate cannot cover.
article_snippet: the estate is already effectively bankrupt.
article_snippet: Last year the High Court and the Court of Appeal made clear that the High Court and the Court of Appeal cannot be asked to meet any compensation costs or damages.
article_snippet: And yesterday it emerged that neither charity held anything close to £40 million anyway.
article_snippet: Jo Summers, the charities’ solicitor, said: ‘There is no way funds in a charity can be used to pay compensation to victims, as this is not permitted by charity law.
article_snippet: The only funds that can be used to pay compensation are the estate funds.
article_snippet: Yesterday a spokesman refused to reveal how much the Corporation had earmarked, saying only: ‘The terms of the scheme were agreed with lawyers for the victims, as well as the NHS and the Savile estate.
article_snippet: Ms Summers added: ‘It seems impossible to quantify the potential bill.
article_snippet: It could be years before the NHS knows the total cost.