Contaminated Blood Scandal: Interim Payments for Victims

Question

Johnson questions the delay in implementing Sir Robert Francis' recommendation for £100,000 interim payments to victims of infected blood and demands an announcement on this before the summer recess.

Question

Brine, as co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on HIV and AIDS, asks if work is underway to identify eligible individuals for interim compensation payments or whether consideration remains ongoing. He also mentions that an urgent question from the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North has become a staple due to delayed progress.

Question

The MP thanked Mr Speaker for granting an urgent question and paid tribute to her right hon. Friend's campaigning on behalf of the victims of contaminated blood scandal. She criticised the Government’s slow response, requesting details about Sir Robert Francis's report recommendations and urging for expedited publication and action on compensation framework.

Question

The MP welcomed Sir Robert’s work and urged for expedited payments to people affected by contaminated blood, noting their suffering and time sensitivity.

Question

The MP congratulated the right hon. Member on securing the urgent question and noted a case in his constituency. He asked about Sir Robert’s recommendation to start work now on setting up a compensation framework and for interim payments to bereaved partners, parents, and children.

Question

The MP, a member since 2015 of the all-party parliamentary group on haemophilia and contaminated blood, urged for interim payments now to constituents still awaiting compensation.

Question

The MP inquired about interim payments for those affected by the loss of a loved one over decades.

Question

The MP asked about conversations with the Treasury to allocate a sufficient budget for compensation.

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The MP highlighted the delay and suffering of constituents waiting decades for compensation.

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The MP provided statistics of victims who have died and asked if Sir Robert’s recommendation 14 has been costed.

Question

The MP, on behalf of a lifelong friend who had factor VIII contaminated blood, urged for urgent interim payments.

Question

The fact that interim payments have been recommended implies urgency in compensating victims. With more than 400 deaths since the inquiry was set up, why does the Government need to wait for a full response to the 19 recommendations before implementing interim payments?

Question

The Irish Government established a compensation tribunal over 25 years ago, yet the UK continues to leave victims in hardship. Will the Paymaster General commit now to key recommendation 14 on interim payments?

Question

419 people have died and one more is estimated to die every four days. Why can't the Government act on interim compensation payments as recommended, given that they had the necessary information before Sir Robert Francis gave his evidence?

Question

My constituent has been infected with hepatitis C and developed cirrhosis of the liver. How soon will the Government implement Sir Robert’s recommendation for interim payments of no less than £100,000?

Question

With 400 deaths since the inquiry started five years ago, will the Government finally implement interim payments now or wait for more people to die before justice is given?

Question

Interim payments are a common feature in personal injury litigation and do not prejudice any inquiry. What prejudice is there to the Government in making interim payments now?

Question

What conversations have been had with Treasury officials about releasing funds for interim payments immediately given the urgency of the situation?

Question

More than 400 people have died since the publication of the report five years ago. Will the Minister commit to a reasonable timescale for action to ease the minds and financial difficulties of victims and their families?

Question

There is no good reason why interim payments cannot be made. Given that ministers were given false information in the past, will the Minister commit to an inquiry into why MPs were misled by officials?