Payment Scheme

Asked about interim payments, noting that over £1 billion has been paid in interim compensation.

Acknowledged the Minister's efforts but pointed out that only 3,000 out of 30,000 potential victims have received compensation and urged for faster payment processes.

Expressed concerns over the timing of regulations laid on the same day as a Backbench Business debate, suggesting more opportunities should be given to tweak the scheme based on community feedback.

Asked about support for claimants navigating the compensation process without specialised knowledge.

Called for clarity regarding whether spouses of infected individuals should receive separate compensation for their suffering and sacrifices.

Noted concerns from the Haemophilia Society about fair compensation for carers, particularly focusing on the financial and personal sacrifices made by family members over decades.

Asked about mechanisms allowing affected individuals to escalate concerns directly to IBCA or even to the Minister for resolution, highlighting potential challenges in maintaining scheme integrity while accommodating individual needs.

Inquired about collaboration with devolved Governments and efforts made to drive forward final compensation schemes in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Suggested that learnings from the IBCA approach could be applied to other areas of Government, emphasising document retention and proof requirements for compensation schemes.

Advocated for a robust duty of candour on all public officials to prevent similar failures in future public service delivery.

Expressed concerns over the abolition of Healthwatch and the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, suggesting these abolitions could hinder cultural change necessary for preventing NHS scandals.

Clarified whether co-infected individuals can claim compensation separately for each round of interferon treatment they received.

Asked for assurance that estates of deceased members would not be prioritised lower in the queue when making claims.

The MP emphasises the need for urgent and fair compensation to victims of the Infected Blood scandal. He supports the amendments but insists on proper communication in plain English, clear compensation calculations, and timely delivery of payments.

In a brief intervention, Christopher Vince emphasises the importance of front-facing organisations being sympathetic and supportive to victims of scandals.

Efford pays tribute to the Paymaster General for advancing the issue but expresses concerns about the pace of payments, particularly for those affected. He urges ongoing dialogue with victims and emphasises the importance of recognising the severe treatment of children deliberately infected in unethical testing.

Welcomes changes to the compensation scheme, highlights significant omissions from legislation such as lack of a dedicated care award for carers and measures to remove impossible evidentiary demands. Raises concerns about disparities in compensation and calls for accountability mechanisms. Emphasises the need for legislative action on statutory duty of candour and data sharing.

Raises questions regarding justice within the infected blood compensation scheme, focusing on disparities in compensation between deceased victims and survivors. Discusses specific cases where family members have been affected by the lack of care and support provided during the illness. Calls for a review of disparity awards, recognition of severe harms through historical evidence, supplementary routes for affected family members, and ending deductions from compensation.

The Member expresses gratitude towards the Minister for his updates on regulations but urges for more progress in making payments to those affected. He highlights concerns about the pace of payments, particularly around interferon treatment, and calls for further levels of payments such as 3B or 4B awards. The Member also raises questions regarding the inclusion criteria for certain groups of people and the cut-off date mentioned by the Minister. Additionally, he addresses significant problems with estate claims and the need to address issues surrounding duty of candour within civil servants.

Congratulated the hon. Member for Perth and Kinross-shire on his work with the all-party parliamentary group, acknowledged the importance of the duty of candour as recommended by Sir Brian Langstaff's inquiry, thanked his hon. Friend the Member for Eltham and Chislehurst for his support, agreed with the shadow Minister about clear communication being crucial, noted that IBCA is operationally independent but offered appropriate support where necessary, emphasised the aim to speed up claims payments and achieve exponential growth in affected claim payments by the end of 2029, explained why care awards are not paid directly to caregivers, stated that these regulations reflect the majority of what was heard during consultation.