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Infected Blood Inquiry and Compensation Framework
24 November 2022
Lead MP
Diana R. Johnson
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Lab
Responding Minister
Alex Burghart
Tags
NHSEmploymentNorthern IrelandForeign Affairs
Word Count: 13462
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
Diana R. Johnson raised concerns about infected blood inquiry and compensation framework in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP asks the Government to pledge full implementation of the infected blood inquiry recommendations, confirm the date for publishing the government's response to Sir Robert Francis' study, and prepare a compensation framework promptly. The Minister is also asked to ensure that affected individuals are involved in setting up the compensation process and address gaps in current financial assistance frameworks. Ms Greenwood urged the Government to publish their full response to Sir Robert Francis's report on the compensation framework as swiftly as possible. She also questioned when interim payments of at least £100,000 would be made available to those affected and bereaved partners registered with UK infected blood support schemes.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The MP is concerned about the ongoing effects of the contaminated blood scandal on individuals, their families, and communities. Over 3,000 people have died as a result of being infected with hepatitis C or HIV through NHS treatment, and one person still dies every four days. The lack of contrition from NHS leaders and the Department of Health and Social Care has turned a disaster into a scandal. Ms Greenwood highlighted the case of one of her constituents who contracted hepatitis C from contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite being officially recognised as a victim, the constituent faced a long, challenging process due to lost medical records and stigma associated with hepatitis C. The strain on the constituent's health and emotional well-being, along with the impact on her family, has been significant.
Aaron Bell
Con
Cities of London and Westminster
He thanked the right hon. Lady for securing the debate, raised a case of his constituent whose father was infected by HIV and hepatitis C, and highlighted the need for a formal apology beyond administrative errors.
Warrington North
She argued that interim compensation payments have significant issues, leaving many unable to access support, and called for victims of infected blood and products to be compensated immediately upon the inquiry report's release. Ms Nichols supported the points raised by Margaret Greenwood, highlighting a case from her constituency where children of those affected also suffered due to AIDS stigma. She called for financial support to be extended urgently to include these children.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow North East
He agreed with the right hon. Lady on medical records and highlighted the need to compensate individuals who cared for infected patients over years. Paid tribute to the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on haemophilia and contaminated blood, highlighting relentless campaigning by MPs. Shared a personal story from a constituent who lost her father due to contaminated blood and described the long-term impact on the family's life. Can I gently suggest to the Minister that he needs to be careful here? There is already a significant lack of trust in the Government among those impacted. Sir Robert's study made a number of recommendations, but we have not heard the Government's response to those recommendations.
Colum Eastwood
SDLP
Foyle
Colum Eastwood intervened to discuss backdated payments for patients with hepatitis C in Northern Ireland, noting that these are backdated to 2019, while elsewhere in the UK they are backdated to 2017. He called for urgent action by the British Government to align the payment scheme in Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK. The MP called for the Government to take seriously the concerns of people in Northern Ireland regarding the lack of a dedicated Minister and the unfair treatment due to the compensation scheme, highlighting that it is feasible given recent budget publications.
Damien Moore
Con
Southport
The Member congratulates colleagues for securing the debate and expresses concern about the impact of the scandal on constituents. He highlights the Government's interim compensation payments but calls for wider adoption of Sir Robert Francis's recommendations, particularly extending eligibility to include more victims.
Deidre Brock
SNP
Glasgow North West
Intervened to ask if extending the interim scheme to families and carers, like her constituent Justine Gordon-Smith who cared for her father Randolph, is supported. Highlighted the trauma experienced by such individuals.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Paid tribute to Members campaigning for justice in the contaminated blood scandal. Highlighted that many people have waited decades, with over 300 children dying of AIDS. Emphasised the importance of recognising carers' voices and supporting those living with ongoing mental health issues. Mentioned her personal connection to sickle cell anaemia and the impact on patients in the past due to contaminated blood. The MP expressed concerns that the Government's response may not be reassuring to people affected by the infected blood scandal, particularly those who are required to travel again to relive painful experiences.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
Ian Lavery expressed deep frustration over the ongoing impact of contaminated blood on victims, families, and carers. He cited Lord Robert Winston's description of it as 'the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS' and highlighted that one person dies every four days due to this issue. Lavery also raised concerns about the lifelong effect on child development and life expectancy from infected blood. I am sure that an enormous amount of work is going on, but if we consider the recent trend of one individual dying every four days since 2007, my calculation is that if we have to wait until the middle of next year, in excess of another 50 people, all victims of contaminated blood, will pass away before they see even a penny of compensation.
Jessica Morden
Lab
Newport East
Ms Morden thanked the campaign groups for their work and urged the Minister to extend interim payments to bereaved parents, stressing that final compensation should be paid as soon as possible after the inquiry is complete. She detailed how Colin Smith from Newport was infected with HIV in 1990 due to contaminated blood products, highlighting the suffering of his family who have not received proper recognition or compensation for their loss. Ms Morden called for immediate preparation for implementing further recommendations and requested that the Government act without delay to avoid more painful testimonies.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Paid tribute to those campaigning for justice regarding contaminated blood and highlighted the need for immediate compensation for affected families, including parents of children who died from AIDS. Emphasised that interim payments should be made urgently to estates of deceased individuals and stressed the importance of having all systems in place by the end of the inquiry to avoid further delays.
Patrick Grady
SNP
Garscadden
He expressed concern about the delay in justice and compensation for those affected, suggesting that delayed justice risks becoming justice denied.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
Congratulated Dame Diana Johnson for her work with infected blood groups, highlighting the importance of avoiding commercial markets for blood products as it can lead to disastrous consequences. Advocated for a system where patients affected by contaminated blood could be flagged in hospitals to avoid repeated questioning about alcohol consumption. Stated that it is crucial for people, especially from ethnic minorities, to be aware of the importance of donating blood and organs as part of a plea made in the Jubilee Room two weeks ago. I have perhaps interrupted the Minister as he was about to answers the question I am about to ask, but the Cabinet Office asked for the Robert Francis inquiry, not Brian Langstaff. Robert Francis's report has been received by the Cabinet Office.
Central Ayrshire
Paid tribute to those affected by the infected blood scandal, noting the long-standing campaign for justice and the impact on victims' lives. Raised concerns about the slow progress since 2017 and the exclusion of bereaved parents and children from interim payments. I am also a member of the APPG who has been part of the campaign throughout and took part in the tabling of parliamentary questions that were repeated ad nauseam to get a response. What was talked about in the Chamber was a response from the Government to the Sir Robert Francis report. Not all of Sir Robert Francis's recommendations are about the future and a final compensation scheme. Some relate to the support schemes that people are dependent on now. Why should action on those recommendations be delayed until the middle of next year when people face a cost of living crisis now?
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow South
The Member pays tribute to a constituent affected by contaminated blood products and describes the severe health issues he faces. He supports the all-party group's recommendations for interim compensation scheme expansion, full report implementation, and independent body administration.
Virginia Crosbie
Con
Torbay and South Devon
She thanked the right hon. Lady and highlighted the work of Haemophilia Wales in campaigning for justice, particularly mentioning Lynne Kelly's efforts.
Government Response
Alex Burghart
Government Response
It is a pleasure to be able to speak in this extremely important debate, Dame Angela. I say to the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Florence Eshalomi), who speaks from the Labour Front Bench, that the Government absolutely hear loud and clear what has been said today. Although I am just a few weeks into the job, I have been enormously struck by the sheer weight of grief and experience that has led us to this point today and will lead us to our final destination, hopefully next year.
I pay tribute to the family members, sufferers, carers, and friends affected by infected blood. The Government commissioned Sir Robert Francis QC to produce an independent study on compensation options for those affected by infected blood. His report was published in June 2022, and following his evidence, Sir Brian Langstaff recommended interim payments of £100,000 to be made by the end of October to all registered individuals, which were successfully completed.
Sir Robert's study will inform the final compensation recommendations expected next year. The Government is preparing options for broader compensation based on Sir Brian's findings and aims to respond swiftly after the inquiry concludes its work in mid-2023. I emphasise that interim payments are just the start, with much more work to be done.
Regarding backdating payments for Northern Ireland, I will write to the hon. Member for Foyle (Colum Eastwood) as soon as possible after consulting colleagues from relevant departments.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.