Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

Thursday 6 March 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to publishing a simplified version of the infected blood compensation scheme document by the end of the month.
  • John Glen raised concerns about recipients signing non-disclosure agreements for compensation payments.
  • Minister facilitated John Glen's recent visit to IBCA and acknowledged his ongoing constructive approach.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Cooper Lab Mid Cheshire
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

Andrew Cooper was contacted by a constituent who lost her husband to infected blood and is concerned about the urgency of compensating affected families. The Minister previously committed to producing an easy-read version of the regulations.

Question

There is an understandable lack of trust between victims and the authorities after such a long wait for justice, and my constituent is concerned about the urgency in compensating affected families. When he spoke in the House last month, the Minister committed to producing an easy-read version of the regulations. Can he say when that is likely to be published and will he commit to full transparency on the progress of settling claims?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

I will publish a simplified version of the document explaining the infected blood compensation scheme by the end of the month. Transparency is vital. IBCA, although an independent body, is committed to being open with the community and publishes monthly figures showing progress on compensation claims.

Answered
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Q2 John Glen Con Salisbury
Benefits & Welfare
Context

John Glen visited the Infected Blood Compensation Authority on January 30 and was impressed by their professionalism. However, there is concern about recipients of payments signing non-disclosure agreements.

Question

One issue that has come up is the need for recipients of payments to sign non-disclosure agreements or terms. I am anxious that misunderstandings do not arise as a consequence of that. Can the Minister use his good offices to implore IBCA to explain why that happens? If IBCA cannot do that, perhaps he can explain to the House why such agreements might be necessary.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his work as Paymaster General. Indeed, I was pleased to facilitate his recent visit to IBCA and am grateful to him for the constructive approach that he continues to take. On the specific issue that he raises around the contracts that IBCA has entered into, I can say that I entirely agree with him about the need for transparency, and that is something that I am re-emphasising to IBCA.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a direct answer regarding why recipients of payments need to sign non-disclosure agreements or terms. He agreed with the need for transparency but did not address specific reasons for these agreements.

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