Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

Thursday 10 July 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

  • The Government expect IBCA to begin payments to those affected by the end of 2025.
  • The Minister will take steps to listen to suggestions without causing further delay to victims.
  • The Government are committed to improving relationships with the infected and affected communities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Foody Labour (Co-op) Cramlington and Killingworth
NHS
Context

The infected blood inquiry published an additional report on compensation, prompting the government to work through recommendations.

Question

What recent progress has been made on the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme? I thank the Minister for his answer and for the response to yesterday's report. My constituent, a core participant in the inquiry, was recently invited to start their claim after waiting decades for justice. They have asked specifically when those affected, such as parents of infected individuals, will be invited to start their claims.

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

I understand that concern. My hon. Friend is a powerful voice for her constituent, and I welcome the news that they have started their claim. The Government expect IBCA to begin payments to those who are affected by the end of this year. We are taking steps to remove administrative barriers to allow IBCA to speed up payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific timeline for when parents and family members will be invited to start their claims, only stating that payments will begin by the end of the year.

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Q2 John Glen Con Salisbury
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Minister responsible for the design of the scheme is concerned about continued lack of clarity and certainty for those affected, despite efforts to ensure engagement with representatives.

Question

I remain concerned that Sir Brian Langstaff has never asked me, as the Minister who was responsible for the design of the scheme, to account for the process that I adopted under the advice of civil servants. Does the Minister agree and what steps will he take to resolve these matters once and for all?

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

I pay tribute to the work of my predecessor as Paymaster General in this area. I will take an approach that listens to suggestions without causing further undue delay to victims who have already waited too long. I am urgently looking at recommendations with a view to action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to taking specific steps to resolve issues, only stating he will listen to suggestions and take an approach without causing further delay.

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Q3 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
NHS
Context

Sir Brian Langstaff was critical of the engagement with the infected and affected community since the publication of his final report.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend accept that a lot of damage has been done since the publication of Sir Brian's final report, as is exposed in yesterday's report? Will he say what he intends to do to improve relationships with the infected and the affected?

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

I am deeply sympathetic to the inquiry’s words on the involvement of the infected blood community. The Government are committed to providing fair compensation. Sir Brian said there is still more to be done to ensure that the detail and operation of the scheme matches up to its intent. I will urgently look at those recommendations with a view to action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to specific actions for improving relationships, only stating sympathy for involvement issues and looking at recommendations.

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Q4 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
NHS
Context

A constituent waiting decades for compensation due to the infected blood scandal and another due to being gay in the RAF, both suffering from trauma.

Question

What parallels can the Minister draw when learning about those two compensation schemes, and how will we ensure that in future the administration of such schemes is smoother, swifter and a better experience for those who are impacted?

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

The hon. Lady speaks movingly about her constituents, Graham and Steve, who have had to wait decades for justice. We will look at what has worked well in previous compensation schemes and be honest about that and learn from it. For infected blood, IBCA is using a test-and-learn approach to allow us to speed up payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to specific improvements for future administration of compensation schemes, only stating a commitment to learning from previous schemes and speeding up payments.

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