Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

02 September 2024 · 16 other contributors

Opened by Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Nick Thomas-Symonds raised concerns about infected blood compensation scheme in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The Paymaster General acknowledged the infected blood scandal's impact on British history and the need for compensation.
  • The Minister updated the House on the Government's work following Sir Robert Francis's report publication.
  • The Minister announced that 69 out of 74 recommendations were accepted, including enhancing the total compensation scheme.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Paymaster General, Nick Thomas-Symonds, opened his statement by acknowledging the shameful mark left on British history by the infected blood scandal and the need for compensation. He updated the House on the Government's work following the publication of Sir Robert Francis’s report and highlighted the engagement exercise undertaken with the infected blood community to address their concerns. The Minister announced that 69 out of 74 recommendations were accepted, including enhancing the total compensation package by introducing a supplementary additional autonomy award of £10,000 for those subjected to unethical medical research, uplifted to £15,000 for those at Treloar’s college as children. Regular support scheme payments will continue for life for those registered before April 2025. The Government laid the regulations on August 23rd and committed to delivering a comprehensive compensation scheme as soon as possible through the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

Other contributors (16)
  • John Glen Con Salisbury

    Question

    The Shadow Paymaster General asked the Minister to confirm if there has been thought given to how representatives of infected and affected communities will be embedded in the organisational structures of the compensation authority. He also sought clarity on the additional autonomy awards for unethical medical research, especially for those at Treloar’s college who have reported dissatisfaction with these amounts. Glen questioned how unethical research can be quantified and graded and asked about timelines for when estates of deceased infected individuals will receive payments.

    Minister reply

    The Minister responded by acknowledging the need to address trust issues within communities affected by the scandal and assured that steps are being taken to ensure representatives’ voices are heard. He reiterated his commitment to deliver a comprehensive compensation scheme as soon as possible, highlighting user testing with community volunteers to make the process as user-friendly as possible.

  • John Glen Con Salisbury

    Question

    The MP acknowledges the Paymaster General's work and statement. He raises concerns about how representatives of infected and affected communities will be embedded in organisational structures, as trust levels remain low. The MP welcomes acceptance of 69 recommendations but seeks more specific timelines for laying regulations, processing claims, and transferring payments. Regarding the supplementary route, he asks for clarification on unethical medical research awards and their quantification. He also inquires about the timeline for estates of deceased infected persons receiving payments and when individual entitlement evaluations will start.

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledges the importance of continued engagement with affected communities and confirms timelines: interim payments of £100,000 for estates of deceased infected individuals starting from October. Payments to the infected on the core route are expected by the end of this year, while those to the affected should start next year. Regarding unethical medical research awards, the Government accepts Sir Robert Francis's recommendations, providing a higher award of £15,000 for Treloar’s victims due to specific breaches of trust. While no amount can compensate for the horrors suffered, these figures serve as markers of unethical practices. On accountability, the Minister confirms that evidence will be made available to prosecutorial authorities. Concerning complexity with existing support schemes and the newly enabled authority, he prioritises ensuring appropriate experiences and caseworker support.

  • Clive Efford Lab Eltham

    Question

    I am grateful to the Minister for keeping me informed of progress. One constituent has received a payment without explanation, and another former Treloar’s pupil feels £15,000 is insufficient. Victims want their voices heard in decisions going forward.

    Minister reply

    The Government aims to clarify the process. If more information is needed for specific cases, MPs can write to me. The voice of victims must continue to be heard; we listened and made changes based on consultation recommendations.

  • Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

    Question

    I thank the Minister for meeting the deadline and setting up the scheme. I ask him to update the House regularly and provide more reassurance about the timeline, as phrases like ‘when parliamentary time allows’ may cause doubt.

    Minister reply

    The Government aims to ensure timely payments. Interim payments of £100,000 for estates will open next month; core route payments will start by year-end; and affected people’s payments will begin next year.

  • Patricia Ferguson Lab Glasgow West

    Question

    Will the Minister outline categories of loss victims can claim against, informing compensation award size?

    Minister reply

    The report identifies five areas: injury and social impact, autonomy award for freedom and family life, care received, financial loss. A tariff-based scheme is crucial to ensure simplicity and justice.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Question

    My constituent Lesley Hughes did not discover she was infected until 2015 due to a blood transfusion in 1970. Will the Government push for quick compensation?

    Minister reply

    I understand this issue has been raised before and that justice is long overdue. The Government will move forward as quickly as possible.

  • Lee Pitcher Lab Doncaster East

    Question

    What progress has been made in establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Authority?

    Minister reply

    Regulations have been laid, and Sir Robert Francis will move swiftly to deliver final compensation by year-end.

  • Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd

    Question

    Will the UK Government reaffirm commitment to funding scheme in full and assure no delays for Welsh victims?

    Minister reply

    Funding will be provided by the UK Government, and there will not be undue delays across all parts of the UK.

  • Tracy Gilbert Lab Edinburgh North and Leith

    Question

    How have my right hon. Friend and his colleagues driven forward results with the Scottish Government?

    Minister reply

    The Governments across the UK are working together on this issue, as I spoke to Health Ministers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

  • Sammy Wilson DUP East Antrim

    Question

    Welcomes the Minister's assurances but asks about the continuation of support schemes and health impact supplementary route. Will people on regular payments be compensated additionally or will their compensation be adjusted? Will payment for additional compensation delay overall compensation?

    Minister reply

    People can have both a continuation of support schemes and lump-sum compensation. Awards are made under five heads, considering only two elements for the continuation of schemes. The health impact supplementary route is to make the package more individualised without delaying payments.

  • Polly Billington Lab East Thanet

    Question

    Asks about support available to victims navigating the compensation process and if the Infected Blood Compensation Authority will have dedicated caseworkers.

    Minister reply

    The Infected Blood Compensation Authority will have trained caseworkers to make the process accessible.

  • Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay

    Question

    Welcomes the compensation but questions the amounts for children and adults, particularly compared with overall suffering. Also asks about an end date for financial compensation delivery.

    Minister reply

    The Government accepted Sir Robert Francis's figures fully. The £10,000 and £15,000 are part of larger awards. Expect infected core route final payments by the year-end, with payments starting next year.

  • Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North

    Question

    Asks about representation for Scottish victims and if all payments can be excluded from benefits eligibility. Queries support for non-respondents to data protection queries.

    Minister reply

    Victims across the UK will be represented. Encouragement, proactive communication, and clarity are important.

  • Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale

    Question

    Refers to constituents affected by infected blood products, including loss of loved ones. Asks for commitment to compensation for those affected this year.

    Minister reply

    Willing to look at detailed cases sent via letter. Compensation payments for the infected expected by year-end and for the affected next year.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Thanks the Minister for positive statement and commitment, asks about real completion date of roll-out and availability of route to compensation for Members.

    Minister reply

    Grateful for support. A drop-in session is held tomorrow, with information accessible to Members.

Shadow Comment

John Glen

The Shadow Paymaster General, John Glen, thanked Nick Thomas-Symonds for his statement and updates. He acknowledged the Government's progress but emphasised the need for clarity on timelines regarding when regulations will be laid, claims processed, and payments transferred to victims' accounts. Glen supported the new developments such as the supplementary additional autonomy award of £15,000 for unethical research subjects at Treloar’s college. However, he questioned how these amounts would be quantified and graded, and sought more information on when estates of deceased infected individuals will receive payments. He urged the Minister to clarify administrative complexities arising from continuing existing support schemes alongside the new authority and requested specific timelines for different communities.

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