Infected Blood Inquiry 2021-09-23
2021-09-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Labour MP inquired about the progress of an ongoing investigation into contaminated blood supplies that affected many patients.
What recent assessment has the Department made of the progress of the infected blood inquiry?
The Government remain committed to fully supporting the infected blood inquiry. The inquiry maintained pace throughout lockdown and is making good progress, with hearings restarting this week until the end of the year. I thank the right hon. Lady for her work in this area.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific details or statistics about the assessment were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP inquires about the status of compensation announced for families of those infected, focusing on inconsistencies affecting bereaved partners.
I welcome the Minister to his new post. May I also join him in thanking the previous Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt), for all that she did to ensure that the cause of those infected and affected by the contaminated blood scandal was at the heart of her work? As the Paymaster General said, we are three years into the NHS infected blood inquiry, and at the start of a new review into compensation. Will he say something about what is happening to bereaved partner payments announced in March, and inconsistencies still applying to them?
I am grateful to the right hon. Lady for her remarks about my predecessor. The previous Paymaster General announced changes in March to national financial support schemes, increasing annual payments and lump sums where necessary. Sir Robert Francis QC is conducting a compensation study considering options when the inquiry reports.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment or timeline was provided for addressing inconsistencies affecting bereaved partners.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP inquires about the financial compensation provided for families of those affected by the contaminated blood scandal.
How much compensation has been paid, and to how many families?
Sir Robert Francis QC is conducting a compensation study considering options when the inquiry reports. The terms of reference were signed off recently and will be published in a written ministerial statement later today.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No specific details on amounts or number of families compensated.
The Matter Is Currently Under Consideration.
Response accuracy