Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report 2025-07-21

21 July 2025 · 17 other contributors

Opened by Nick Thomas-Symonds Con Constituency

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 inquiry additional report 2025-07-21 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The Paymaster General noted that as of July 15th, 2,215 people have been contacted by IBCA, with 808 offers made and 411 million paid out.
  • The Minister announced the reconstitution of an expert group with transparency, including publication of work and minutes.
  • The Government will pay an estimated 1 billion in further compensation payments to fund the compensation scheme.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Nick Thomas-Symonds Con Constituency

The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office provided an initial response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s additional report published on July 9th. He highlighted progress in compensation payments, noting that as of July 15th, 2,215 people have been contacted by IBCA, with 808 offers made and £411 million paid out. The Minister announced further interim payments to the estates of infected individuals who have passed away and acknowledged the need for faster payment speed-ups. He also discussed the Government's commitment to fair compensation and outlined specific recommendations from the inquiry that are being accepted or under consideration.

Other contributors (17)
  • Mike Wood Con Kingswinford and South Staffordshire

    Thanked the Paymaster General for his statement and advance sight of it.

  • Nick Thomas-Symonds Con

    Acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor and thanked those working on the compensation scheme. Announced changes to the scheme that will not affect the current speed of roll-out. Agreed with the need for an active consultation mechanism and clear communication with victims and families. Welcomed the establishment of a grievances mechanism and committed to transparency in its operation.

  • Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside

    Called for the implementation of a Hillsborough law to restore trust in public institutions. Criticised the lack of engagement with victims during the design phase of the compensation scheme, describing it as unacceptable. Urged the Government to provide clear timelines and engage properly with victims.

  • Sarah Olney LD Richmond Park

    Paid tribute to Sir Brian Langstaff for his work on the infected blood scandal. Criticised the lack of engagement with victims during the design phase, describing it as wholly unacceptable. Called for the Government to set out clear timelines and engage properly with victims, including establishing a formal advisory body of victims for IBCA.

  • Chris Webb Lab Blackpool South

    Asked if the Government would now speed up the current timelines of 2027 and 2029 for payment compensation to victims following the inquiry's report.

  • Damian Hinds Con East Hampshire

    Welcomed the Paymaster General’s statement on removing administrative burdens and accepting recommendations. Asked about timelines for memorialisation work, specifically mentioning young victims from Treloar.

  • David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

    Welcomes removal of 1982 start date in compensation scheme; highlights stigma and discrimination faced by those who contracted HIV through infected blood.

  • Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst

    Commends Minister's statement, highlighting importance of community engagement in decision-making process; requests assurance on financial support for organisations giving advice to victims making claims.

  • Ian Sollom LD St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire

    Asks whether interim payments will be provided for unregistered victims, as recommended by Sir Brian Langstaff.

  • Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington

    Expresses concern over the number of settled claims and the status of invitations to start claims; queries whether new invites will be put on hold while IBCA revisits settled claims.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Raises concerns about financial advice for recipients of compensation, as large sums of money will be paid out.

  • Alex Baker Lab Aldershot

    Discusses the case of his constituent Brendan West, who served in military and received an invitation to start the process for compensation; seeks information on expected timeline for claims.

  • Robin Swann UUP South Antrim

    Inquires about costs associated with devolved administrative bodies staying open longer than initially planned due to new recommendations and sub-recommendations.

  • Jessica Toale Lab Bournemouth West

    Raises the case of her affected constituent Ronan, whose mother died from hepatitis C; queries timeline for invitations for parents and partners to start claims.

  • Tracy Gilbert Lab Edinburgh North and Leith

    Expressed concern for a constituent in her 80s who cared for an infected person. Fears that carers might die before receiving recognition or compensation. Asked what steps the Government will take to prioritise end-of-life carers for compensation.

  • Chris Bloore Lab Redditch

    Asked about additional resources beyond the £1 billion figure mentioned by the Minister for delivering the recommendations and funding the scheme. Sought assurance that the Government would provide adequate resources.

  • Chris Vince Lab/Co-op Harlow

    Spoke about personal experience with a family member dying of AIDS, highlighting the consistent failure by the state to listen to victims across multiple scandals. Emphasised the importance of thorough consultation involving victims' voices.

Government Response

Government Minister

Acknowledged criticism regarding transparency in the expert group established under his predecessor. Announced that the Government will reconstitute an expert group with transparency at its heart, including publication of work and minutes. Stated that the Government will pay what it takes to fund the compensation scheme, currently estimated at around £1 billion in further compensation payments. Acknowledges importance of introducing duty of candour legislation. Pledges to work with affected communities to change culture of cover-up. Announces measures including removal of the 1982 start date, interim payments for unregistered victims' estates, and extended financial support beyond current fiscal year. Acknowledged criticisms and announced actions based on Sir Brian Langstaff's report, extending compensation period by two years to 2031 for affected estates. Reassured that the Government will pay what it takes to fund the scheme and update forecast costs at the autumn Budget.

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