Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

Thursday 24 April 2025 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial reassurances were given to constituents affected by the infected blood scandal.
  • The Government aims for all victims to receive the compensation they deserve.
  • Campaigners for infected blood victims are acknowledged and thanked by the Minister.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
NHS
Context

A constituent of Kate Osamor, aged 77 years old, is a victim of the infected blood scandal. He has concerns that those with hepatitis C may be treated differently than those with cirrhosis under the special category mechanism.

Question

My constituent, who is 77 years old, is a victim of the infected blood scandal. He is worried that haemophilia patients infected with hepatitis are being sidelined by the compensation scheme. He tells me that he was told those on the special category mechanism with hepatitis C would be upgraded to the same level as those with cirrhosis, but that position has now been reversed. Will the Minister look into my constituent’s concerns about disparities for haemophiliacs infected with hepatitis?

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

I will certainly write to my hon. Friend on the issue of the special category mechanism. I reassure her that the Government’s objective is for all victims of the infected blood scandal to be able to achieve the compensation that they deserve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or timeline for addressing disparities in the special category mechanism.

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Q2 Alice Macdonald Labour (Co-op) Norwich North
NHS
Context

Mr Alan Kirkham, a constituent of Alice Macdonald, was infected with hepatitis C from a blood transfusion in 1983 and has been campaigning for justice.

Question

My constituent, Mr Alan Kirkham, has been badly affected by the infected blood scandal. He was infected with hepatitis C from a blood transfusion in 1983. I met Alan recently, and he has been campaigning for justice for years. Will the Minister welcome and pay tribute to the work of campaigners like Alan? Can he provide assurances that we are working at pace to deliver compensation? Will he consider fast-tracking older and more vulnerable people?

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

I will certainly pay tribute to Alan and to the work of all campaigners over decades. I am restless for progress, and I will support the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to deliver compensation as quickly as possible. On fast-tracking for specific claimants, last week IBCA set out details of how it is prioritising claims from infected people nearing the end of their life.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly commit to fast-tracking payments for older and more vulnerable individuals beyond last week's actions by IBCA.

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Q3 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
NHS Scotland
Context

There are concerns about the slow pace of compensation payments for individuals affected by the infected blood scandal in Scotland.

Question

What direct discussions has the Minister had with people in Scotland who have been impacted by the infected blood scandal about the slow pace of compensation payments?

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

In the course of the work I have done, I have not only spoken to groups in Scotland, but engaged with the Scottish Government’s Health Minister on this matter. On the pace of the payments, IBCA has taken a test-and-learn approach, which allows it to deal with a sample of the cases and then subsequently to scale up. IBCA is operationally independent, but I stand ready to provide all the support I can to speed up the payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify details or timeline for engaging directly with Scottish individuals beyond general statements of engagement.

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Q4 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
NHS
Context

Hazel, a constituent of Sarah Dyke from Street, was infected with hepatitis C in the 1970s after receiving blood products following the birth of her child. She is still waiting for compensation under the infected blood compensation scheme.

Question

My constituent Hazel, from Street, was infected with hepatitis C in the 1970s after receiving blood products following the birth of her child. She suffered years of ill health and related problems, and is still waiting for the infected blood compensation scheme. Her case is truly heart-breaking, so what assurance can the Minister provide to people like Hazel that they will soon be supported?

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

First, I express my sympathy and, I am sure, that of the whole House to Hazel in respect of what she has been through. The assurance I give is that this Government will act at pace. That is what we did in putting the first set of regulations in place by 24 August last year and by putting the second set of regulations in place by 31 March this year. I continue to stand ready to help and support IBCA, which is operationally independent, in any way that I can to speed up the payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or concrete steps for supporting individuals like Hazel beyond general assurances of acting at pace.

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