Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

The regulations before the House will provide the Infected Blood Compensation Authority with legal powers to begin making payments, establish a core route for claiming compensation under five categories of loss, and ensure appropriate advice and support is available. The Government aims to deliver compensation as swiftly as possible.

My constituent Alex Robinson, who lost her father due to contaminated blood products in 2006, seeks confirmation that she and all families will receive legal support for their applications to the compensation scheme.

The Government intends to implement a recommendation from the report, which states that charities and support organisations providing advice to victims and their families should be placed on a statutory funding basis.

On behalf of a constituent born of an infected mother, confirms that the compensation scheme will cover people for both physical and mental distress resulting from their infection by contaminated blood products.

Asks if payments made under the compensation scheme will be exempt from inheritance tax, particularly concerning elderly recipients who may have second-generation beneficiaries.

Stresses the importance of maintaining trust in the process by allowing victims to review aspects of the compensation scheme that may not work as intended and ensuring continuous improvement based on feedback.

Expressed concern over the complexity of the statutory instrument and requested clarity in the explanatory memorandum. Raised issues regarding the timeline for applications and payments, emphasising the importance of delivering compensation swiftly to all victims and affected individuals. Highlighted concerns about proof burden and access to medical records. Criticised the lack of a defined timetable for claims from affected persons and the absence of an impact assessment.

The regulations returning to the House represent a significant milestone in ensuring that victims of infected blood receive compensation swiftly. The speaker emphasises the importance of clarity and support for affected families, highlighting the case of the Smiths who lost their son Colin to AIDS due to contaminated blood products. She requests more information on how compensation will be calculated and stresses the need for ongoing engagement with charities involved in supporting those affected. Morden also asks about interim payments for deceased victims' estates and the timeline for these applications opening.

The speaker reminds Members to exercise caution during discussions on the infected blood compensation scheme, given that related group litigation is still before the courts. She invites the Liberal Democrat spokesperson to speak.

The Liberal Democrats welcome the introduction of legislation establishing a compensation scheme for victims of the infected blood scandal. They are glad about Sir Brian Langstaff's report which vindicated many victims and voted to require the Government to set up the compensation scheme. Sarah Olney emphasises the need for adequate resources and powers in the scheme to address justice and compensation properly. She highlights more than 3,000 deaths and over 30,000 infections due to contaminated blood products, emphasising negligence beyond medical administration, including a culture of cover-up. The Liberal Democrats support a duty of candour on public officials and increased legal protections for whistleblowers to ensure transparency. However, they are concerned that the legislation does not go far enough in compensating all affected parties, such as children tested without consent and family members over 18 at infection time. They urge the Government to engage closely with the affected community, provide clear communication on compensation calculation methods, and support charities dealing with inquiries from affected families.

Steve Darling interjects asking for reassurance that there is adequate capacity to process applications at pace. He shares concerns about the efficiency of processing applications and ensuring timely justice for victims.

Speaks about the tragic scandal involving the NHS, expressing concern over the compensation proposals that are seen as incomplete. Emphasises the need for engagement with campaigners and individuals affected to understand potential weaknesses in the scheme before March 2025. Raises issues regarding the amount of compensation, lack of information on supplementary routes, and concerns over ethical research and testing. Highlights the issue of children being selected for dangerous medical research and calls for a thorough investigation into past experimentation on young kids. Urges the Government to consider outstanding issues before the matter returns to the House.

Intervenes to highlight the importance of providing information to affected families, emphasising that getting money out quickly is crucial due to a rate of attrition. Expresses hope that people will achieve financial redress and peace of mind.

Acknowledges the long journey taken by those affected by the scandal and those dealing with its consequences, paying tribute to Sir Brian Langstaff, Sir Robert Francis, and former MPs who have worked on this issue. Expresses gratitude for the current Paymaster General's empathetic approach in handling the matter and hopes that a resolution can be achieved speedily.

The Labour MP highlighted the systemic failures that led to 30,000 patients being infected with contaminated blood products and more than 3,000 deaths. She detailed her constituent Jane Fitzgerald's tragic case, emphasising the long-term physical and emotional damage caused by the infection and its impact on her family. Toale urged the Government to remove discriminatory age restrictions for siblings over 18 and ensure equal access to supplementary routes for compensation claims. She also called for urgent attention to estates of deceased victims.

The Liberal Democrat MP echoed the concerns about the exclusion of families and siblings from the Government's compensation scheme due to age or care status restrictions. He emphasised the moral imperative for transparency, expediency, and inclusivity in the compensation process, urging the Government to ensure that no one affected is left out or waiting for justice.

Welcomed progress made by the Government but criticised delays, lack of transparency and limited communication from the Cabinet Office. Raised concerns about the selection criteria for the first 20 cases to be settled and urged the provision of support to charitable organisations. Highlighted the urgency for interim payments and engagement with campaigning groups to understand individual circumstances.

In praise of the right hon. Member for Salisbury, John Glen, who made significant progress on the issue after years of delay. Acknowledges the final report by the infected blood inquiry which shed light on all that had gone wrong, paving way to positive change. Stresses the importance of listening to victims and their representatives in constructing regulations. Points out the need for transparency from the Minister regarding why MPs were misled in earlier years. Emphasises the necessity of engaging with representative groups properly during regulation design and seeks clarity on Sir Robert Francis's proposed additional autonomy award, treatment methods for hepatitis C, future operation of support schemes, legal representation funding, and reasons behind contacting only 20 individuals.

The Minister's speech was appreciated for its clarity and urgency, but there is a deep-seated scepticism among victims due to the establishment's historical reluctance to acknowledge wrongdoing. Jon highlighted the Langstaff report which clearly states that Governments were aware of the risks of infected blood transfusions from the 1940s onwards. He mentioned his constituent Katie who lost her father in the ’80s and faces difficulties finding evidence for compensation due to document destruction by past governments. Additionally, he stressed the importance of reassurance from the Minister about further conversations with civil society groups representing victims. Jon also noted that the Government should ensure that any representatives appointed are seen as independent from the government to build trust. Finally, he questioned how justice can be delivered while protecting taxpayer money when victims lack resources or evidence.

Alison emphasised the need for urgency and trust in addressing the compensation issue for infected blood victims. She shared the story of her constituent Graham Knight, who was diagnosed with hepatitis C due to contaminated blood transfusions and suffered significant personal and financial consequences. Alison highlighted that Graham’s marriage and life have been profoundly impacted by this illness and that the loss of trust will only be restored once payments are made urgently. She agreed that ensuring timely compensation is crucial but stressed the importance of urgency in delivering it.

Ms White celebrates the vibrant community that sent her to Parliament and pays tribute to her predecessors. She discusses Leeds North West's rich history, economic diversity, and its commitment to environmental issues such as climate change. She also touches on the infected blood scandal and mental health challenges facing communities, calling for real change and action from politicians.

Ms Ghani briefly mentions her connection to Leeds as a former student, expressing an interest in engaging with the newly elected MP Katie White.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Leeds North West on an excellent maiden speech and thank the Minister for bringing this motion before the House. The trauma of the infected blood scandal extends beyond physical suffering, affecting generations through loss and ongoing health issues. I raise Philip’s story, a haemophiliac who was infected in the late 1970s but not diagnosed until the late 1980s, highlighting societal stigma and discrimination he faced in employment and personal life. Despite delays, some payments have begun, but swift progress is urged to ensure compensation for those affected, including estates of deceased loved ones.

I recount the story of my constituent Brian and his late mother Roberta Wilson Murray. In 1985, Roberta received infected blood during a hospital stay for an ulcer treatment, contracting hepatitis C without knowing it until 2002—a devastating discovery 17 years later after countless hospital visits. The state failed her with the initial infection and subsequent neglect of care. This scandal is one of the greatest injustices in recent history, impacting tens of thousands over decades. While compensation measures are critical, swift action must be taken to address families’ needs. I urge the Minister to write to me regarding when Brian’s family can expect compensation.

I thank Members for their contributions and advocate for swift delivery of the compensation scheme. However, I urge consideration of care costs for bereaved partners and family carers who sacrificed careers and pensions to provide support. Concerns about fair care awards have been raised by organisations such as Tainted Blood. Will the Minister ensure that these additional burdens are adequately addressed in the compensation framework?

Paid tribute to all speeches made, congratulated Katie White on her maiden speech focusing on climate change and Yorkshire. Discussed the case of Stuart Blake who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C in 1985 at age six and passed away at age 27. Criticised the lack of openness from NHS and government about the contaminated blood scandal, commended the Minister for his decisive action towards compensation, and called for Mike and Diana Blake to be assigned a dedicated case worker to guide them through the application process.

Welcomed progress on the compensation scheme but highlighted two cases of constituents who were infected with hepatitis C after 1991, outside the original cut-off date for support. Criticised the lack of clarity in how these individuals will access proper help and urged immediate provision of details regarding the new scheme's implementation. Mentioned another constituent whose mother died from hepatitis C and raised concerns about prioritising payments to estates of those who have passed away due to infected blood.

Welcomed the Government's action to ensure compensation for victims of contaminated blood scandal. Discussed a constituent’s fight for justice since his infection at 14 due to healthcare failure, commended recommendations from Sir Robert Francis, and acknowledged the state's failure towards vulnerable individuals. Pledged support for swift implementation of the scheme by end of year, raised concerns about legal fees accrued by campaigners potentially being covered, and called for a culture change to prevent such struggles in future.

The Government are committed to delivering rapid compensation to victims of the infected blood scandal. They will engage with support groups and adopt a test-and-learn approach to ensure swift delivery. Payments will begin by the end of 12/31/2024, and further regulations will be laid by March 2025. The Minister also addressed issues such as severity bands for HIV and hepatitis C, sibling compensation, ethical research practices, and legal support.

Asked about the progress on establishing memorials in all countries of the UK to commemorate victims of the infected blood scandal.

Clarified that when assessing the June engagement exercise supervised by Sir Robert Francis, he did not resist any recommendations from the expert group apart from a few where he thought the Government could do better. There was no attempt to resist advice of the expert group.

Asked for more details on how the expert group engaged with affected communities to help them understand the tariff system better.

Requested a meeting with the all-party parliamentary group on haemophilia and contaminated blood to discuss ongoing concerns of those affected by the scandal.