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BACKBENCH BUSINESS
24 November 2016
Lead MP
Diana R. Johnson
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHS
Other Contributors: 49
At a Glance
Diana R. Johnson raised concerns about backbench business in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The debate addresses the Government's recent announcement on reforming the support schemes for individuals affected by contaminated blood products, which is considered one of the biggest treatment disasters in NHS history. Diana R. Johnson emphasises that those affected should not be left impoverished and highlights concerns over bereaved partners being worse off due to new payment structures, especially for Hepatitis C patients. She notes that individuals infected with other viruses, non-chronic cases of Hepatitis C, and bereaved parents are not covered by the current scheme and calls on the Government to use funds from Plasma Resources UK sales to revise proposals accordingly.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Acknowledges the efforts of previous administrations but criticises the current proposal for insufficient support, especially regarding the disparity between schemes in England and Scotland compared to Wales and Northern Ireland; expresses concern over the administration being handled by profit-making private companies such as Atos or Capita.
Expresses frustration with lack of progress from the Health Minister in Northern Ireland regarding compensation for those affected by contaminated blood products.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Supports Diana R. Johnson's campaign, highlighting that the Scottish scheme is more generous than the English one and calls for at least parity in compensation between regions.
Points out inconsistencies in compensation levels across different schemes which can lead to unfair treatment of victims depending on their location within the UK.
Raises a case study from Stratford-on-Avon where a constituent is receiving less generous support compared to Scottish beneficiaries, emphasising the importance of not forgetting about primary beneficiaries in such reforms.
Ian Austin
Dudley
Suggests investigating allegations of impropriety involving pharmaceutical companies encouraging the use of plasma concentrates over cryoprecipitate for blood transfusions.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Emphasises trust issues regarding potential new providers and previous health professionals involved in the contamination, questioning whether cost reasons led to continued use of contaminated products despite knowledge of their risks.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
She calls on the Minister to scrap plans for private profit-making scheme administrators and replace it with a more beneficiary-focused organisation. She raises concerns about the current discretionary support scheme and the need for guarantees similar to those in the Scottish model for widows and primary beneficiaries. She also discusses funding issues, suggesting that available resources could be better utilised without additional costs to public purse. She emphasises the importance of providing options like lump sum payments and advocates for a Hillsborough-style inquiry.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
He supports the hon. Lady's points regarding discretionary support schemes and highlights that without guaranteed annual payments, people often face immense hardship due to the lack of financial security.
She raises concerns about the treatment of those who were co-infected with multiple viruses and asks for more assistance under the new arrangement.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
He emphasises the need for proper funding and a thorough investigation to uncover the truth about this scandal, advocating for lump sum payment options as part of any revised scheme.
He agrees with the proposal for a Hillsborough-style inquiry but stresses that urgent issues should not be overshadowed while such an inquiry is ongoing. He supports running these processes in parallel.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
She expresses the desire of families affected by this scandal to gain access to documents and uncover truths about what happened, seeking a sense of justice through such measures.
Alistair Burt
Con
Bury St Edmunds
I congratulate Diana Johnson on her consistency in campaigning for this issue. I support the idea that Government should take responsibility and administer the scheme, rather than outsourcing it to the private sector. This is important to ensure democratic accountability and protect beneficiaries' interests.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
I agree that public funding should be used for compensation, but there could also be a role for the private sector in contributing. A similar model to thalidomide victims' support through composite public and private funding could be considered.
Alistair Burt
Con
Bury St Edmunds
I agree with Tim Farron's points but note that the situation for contaminated blood differs as there is no clear line of accountability like in thalidomide cases. We need a settlement now, and we should prioritise this issue to avoid further delay.
Victoria Atkins
Con
Louth and Horncastle
I urge the Minister to carefully consider concerns raised by my constituent who is co-infected with multiple conditions due to contaminated blood, including worries about losing £6,000 in discretionary payments. The Government must ensure that beneficiaries are not made worse off under new proposals.
Alistair Burt
Con
North East Bedfordshire
He emphasised the need for clarity in discretionary payments, highlighting cases of co-infected individuals and advocating for a recognition fund. He also called for an inquiry into the scandal to address the sense of injustice among victims.
No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
She focused on transparency in public institutions, suggesting that permission should be given for individuals with relevant information to come forward. She also highlighted the importance of trust in health providers and suggested an NHS-led process.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
He emphasised the need for a fair settlement for victims like Helen Wilcox, who has been suffering from hepatitis C since her youth. He also highlighted Richard Warwick's case as an example of someone co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C.
She supported the idea of a lump-sum payment for co-infected individuals, recognising their unique strains compared to others affected by contaminated blood products.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Mr. Hollinrake urged the Minister to provide greater clarity and a fair settlement for victims like Richard Warwick, who lost his job due to HIV infection and whose wife became the main breadwinner but may struggle to find full-time work near retirement age.
Chris Matheson
Lab
Cardiff South and Penarth
Mr. Matheson highlighted the need for consistency and fairness in compensation schemes, stressing that victims should not be worse off under new simplified systems. He shared personal stories of constituents like Debra and Neil, who have been impacted by contaminated blood products and deserve more than just words from politicians.
Norman Lamb
Lib Dem
North Norfolk
Mr. Lamb agreed with Mr. Matheson's suggestion for a Hillsborough-style inquiry to address the injustice faced by victims such as Ms Sullivan-Weeks’s stepfather, who received unheated Scottish blood products in England after they had been withdrawn.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Tewkesbury
Paid tribute to colleagues for their work on the issue, highlighted the importance of medical records indicating past infections to avoid unnecessary questioning by healthcare providers. Emphasised the need for financial support for those requiring specialist treatment far from home and advocated for a more sympathetic approach towards affected individuals including access to therapy and higher education opportunities.
Jim McMahon
Lab/Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Expressed deep concern over the inhumane treatment of victims by hospitals and the government's approach which seems more concerned with cost than human suffering. Advocated for an independent inquiry to uncover truths about past practices and prevent future errors. Criticised the lack of comprehensive support measures to ensure a decent life for those affected.
Nadhim Zahawi
Con
Stratford-on-Avon
Since being elected to the House, every Friday at surgery I have talked with constituents about this issue. Constituents face frustrations and false hope in receiving a settlement for their suffering from HIV or hep C due to contaminated blood products. Paying tribute to Diana Johnson's cross-party work on the matter, Zahawi urged the Government to look again at discretionary payments which are relied upon by victims to balance their finances. He highlighted cases of individuals such as Mr M and Ms W, emphasising the urgency and fairness of a settlement, especially for those in critical health conditions like Mr D whose condition has worsened.
Margaret Ritchie
SDLP
South Down
Paying tribute to Diana Johnson's campaigning zeal, Margaret Ritchie discussed the long-lasting impact of contaminated blood products on individuals and families over 40 years. She urged for clarity around support for dependants and bereaved parties after 2020-21. Ritchie raised concerns about the lack of urgency in Northern Ireland regarding compensation schemes and highlighted specific cases like Brian Carberry, Martin and Seamus Sloan to illustrate the financial and emotional strain on families.
Mark Durkan
SDLP
Foyle
Durkan corrected misinformation about the Irish Republic's compensation scheme for contaminated blood products. He emphasised that the establishment of a compensation scheme preceded liability acknowledgment, highlighting the necessity for such a move in the UK to address long-term needs and provide relief to affected individuals.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow North West
Stephens spoke in support of constituents who are victims of contaminated blood and highlighted the disparity between compensation schemes across different parts of the UK. He mentioned that Scottish Members may have constituents covered by two different schemes due to infections taking place outside Scotland. He also raised concerns about the proposed English scheme administrator being a profit-making private company, suggesting that this could cause concern among beneficiaries compared to the more beneficiary-involved approach in the Scottish scheme.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
Bottomley intervened to raise the issue of spouses who may have lost their partners years ago and might not be aware of the compensation offer due to lack of involvement in relevant networks, emphasising the need for more outreach.
Martyn Day
SNP
Inverness West, Glen Urquhart
Expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the debate and thanked the Backbench Business Committee. Highlighted concerns about private operators administering compensation schemes. Emphasised the justice issue regarding what was known at the time of contamination, noting it has affected tens of thousands over 40 years with many dying or suffering long-term disabilities. Discussed proposed changes to ex-gratia payments in Scotland: annual increases for those with HIV and hepatitis C from £15,000 to £27,000; those co-infected receive £37,000 per year; partners of deceased victims receive 75% of previous entitlements; lump-sum payments for chronic hepatitis C. Advocated for simplification of the current system and implementation by a single body. Mentioned concerns about cross-border infections and removal of winter fuel allowance impacting health during colder months.
Sharon Hodgson
Lab
Washington and Gateshead South
I want, first and foremost, to thoroughly thank my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North, who has championed this issue for many years. This debate is welcome as it allows us to discuss the new scheme in a comprehensive manner. The current funding system falls short of what Scotland offers, especially concerning support for those cleared of hepatitis C or affected by other viruses. Bereaved partners and family members have been overlooked. Concerns persist regarding discretionary payments and potential involvement of private companies like Atos or Capita. There is a need for an independent Hillsborough-style panel to address failures in the system. The affected community seeks truth, reconciliation, and public disclosure of these failures.
Mark Durkan
SDLP
South Antrim
He emphasised the importance of establishing a tribunal of inquiry in Ireland which led to state liability being recognised. This highlights why we need an independent inquiry into similar issues here, acknowledging that the UK was prepared to carry the same risk.
Nicola Blackwood
Con
Oxford West and Abingdon
Congratulations the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North and other members of the all-party parliamentary group for haemophilia and contaminated blood on securing this debate, thanked colleagues from across the House for their constructive approach, apologised to those affected by the tragic circumstances, acknowledged the bravery of constituents in sharing personal stories, outlined government reforms including a new support scheme with up to £125 million until 2020-21, emphasised that no financial support can change what has happened but stated the aim is for nobody to be worse off, mentioned existing and proposed increases in annual payments and exemptions from tax and benefits, addressed concerns about finances and tendering, clarified that Capita and Atos have not yet bid for the scheme.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
Asked the Minister to confirm if only the two organisations mentioned had been invited to discuss administering the scheme with the Department of Health.
Nicola Blackwood
Con
Oxford West and Abingdon
Clarified that she has not held meetings on this issue as it is not within her departmental brief, offered to find out about any discussions mentioned by the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North.
No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
Nicola Blackwood
Con
Oxford West and Abingdon
Stressed that despite health budget pressures, the Government have fought to protect funding for this scheme, introduced one-off payments of £10,000 for bereaved partners or spouses where infection contributed to death, stated that policy will be published shortly including recognition of causal links between infection and death not explicitly stated on death certificates.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West
Asked about clarity regarding cases where death certificates are marked as 'unascertained' and sought assurance that there will be more flexibility in proving the link between infection and death.
Nicola Blackwood
Con
Oxford West and Abingdon
Acknowledged Jim McMahon's point about the need for clarity around unascertained cases, stated that these issues are currently being addressed by the Department.
Asked if death certificates will be handled sympathetically so they do not explicitly state HIV or hepatitis C despite knowing from medical records this was the cause of death.
Nicola Blackwood
Con
Oxford West and Abingdon
Confirmed that the Department is trying to address the issue of death certificates in a sympathetic manner, will consult relevant groups closely on this matter.
Asked for further phone calls to be made to the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland to accelerate the process and enable payments under the scheme as quickly as possible.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow North West
Asked the Minister about discussions with HMRC regarding tax rules applicable to support payments.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Expressed concerns over the limited duration of the new scheme until 2021, welcomed stage 1 hepatitis C payments but criticised the tendering process for deciding a private sector provider as administrator.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Brentwood and Ongar
Suggested that whoever administers the scheme should be free to report anomalies or cases outside rules back to the Government for potential changes.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
The ongoing payment of £3,500 for people with stage 1 hepatitis C is not a large amount of money for those affected. Under the Scottish model, a £30,000 lump sum payment is made if people have already received the £20,000 lump sum payment. Over the spending period, therefore, I am not sure that the Government can really say that the help that they are providing to people affected with stage 1 hepatitis C is greater than that provided to those in Scotland.
Government Response
Addressed concerns about tax rules and public inquiries, clarified the timeline of payment disbursements, offered reassurance regarding budget underspends staying within health department budgets.
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