Infected Blood Inquiry Government Response 2025-05-14

The shadow Minister thanked the Minister for his statement and expressed concern about the pace of compensation roll-out. He asked whether the current pace is acceptable and if additional measures are being taken to expedite payments for dying victims. Wood also inquired about progress on recommendation 6 regarding monitoring liver damage for people with hepatitis C, and on recommendation 8 concerning offering blood tests to patients who had transfusions before 1996.

The Government have identified £11.8 billion to pay compensation, which is a significant budget commitment. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority has adopted a test-and-learn approach and I expect a significant increase in the pace of payments going forward.

Welcomed the fact that the Government have identified £11.8 billion to pay compensation, but expressed concern about the pace of payments and the clarity of evidential requirements for families to prepare for claims.

Welcomed the introduction of the infected blood compensation scheme but expressed alarm at the slow roll-out, with only 106 people receiving payments. Raised concerns about delays in evidence gathering and called for a duty of candour on public officials to prevent similar scandals.

Expressed frustration at the lack of progress with claims being processed, highlighting the stress and mental torment individuals are experiencing while waiting for their cases to be reviewed.

Complimented the Paymaster General's approach but expressed concern that IBCA is not processing claims quickly enough, suggesting a target of processing more than 90% by the end of this year.

Asked about the personal attention needed for the compensation scheme's effective operation and requested an update on a memorial dedicated to children infected at Treloar’s.

Emphasised urgency in processing claims, asked about updates provided to individuals making claims, and requested details on the support available for those cases.

Questioned about the culture of institutional defensiveness within civil service and whether there would be any criminal sanctions for those involved in denying victims compensation.

Expressed concern regarding the entitlement to compensation for deceased victims' estates, requested a meeting to discuss Alex's case where her father died due to infected blood products.

Asked about the discrepancy in support payments for bereaved partners with differing registration dates, requested a review of this unfairness.

Welcomed the funding allocated to charities by the Government and asked for clarity on steps taken to ensure the money reaches these organisations.

Asked about reassurances for Gary Webster, a Treloar’s boy with HIV and hepatitis C, regarding his eligibility for compensation before he dies.

Addressed concerns of families in Worcester over delays in claiming support payments after losing spouses due to infected blood products.

Asked for individual target dates for applicants contacting IBCA and questioned whether the organisation has sufficient resources to speed up processes.

Answered questions on the progress of compensation payments, confirmed £96 million paid out so far, committed to speeding up payments, acknowledged concerns about special category mechanism and its translation into health supplemental route.

Responded to queries regarding specific constituents' situations, committed to investigate cases where victims feel worse off under new compensation schemes, agreed to look at correspondence for Helen's case, assured of payments starting by the end of the year.

Asked if victims should not be worse off in transition from interim payments to new compensation scheme, raised concerns about specific constituent who feels significantly reduced compared to previous offer under special category mechanism.

Expressed concern for Helen, a constituent with stage 4B ovarian cancer whose partner died from infected blood in 1994, requested speeding up process for those affected with limited time.

Highlighted case of a constituent infected with hepatitis C at age 15, suffering from mental and physical illness since then, questioned the lack of formal acknowledgment and support payments for unregistered victims between 1991-1996.

Acknowledged Clive Smith's advocacy work, requested reassurance on compensation delivery speed and simplicity of application process for those affected by infected blood scandal.

Asked about changes to special category mechanism affecting supplementary regulations and the provision for bringing compensation in line with those having cirrhosis, requested explanation and redress for affected cohort.

Expressed distress over special category mechanism's impact on compensation levels, highlighted cases where healthier individuals receive more compensation than those in poorer health despite same conditions being recognised by inquiry and Government experts.