This was an appalling tragedy that simply should never have happened. The Infected Blood Inquiry was set up to make sure all those that have suffered so terribly can get the answers they have spent decades waiting for and lessons can be learned so that a tragedy of this scale can never happen again.
The first interim report has been published and I am glad that the Government has already accepted the recommendations to make interim compensation payments of £100,000 to those infected and bereaved partners as set out by inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff.
The Government paid these interim payments on 28 October 2022. If you have not received any payments, but believe you are entitled to do so, please click the link below for information
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infected-blood-compensation-…
I now look forward to the final publication of the report by Sir Brian Langstaff, due to be released in the autumn of 2023. Nonetheless, let me assure you that in the meantime, the Government is working in consideration of the study to ensure that they can act swiftly in response to the final recommendations relating to compensation. Sir Brian’s second interim report has put forward a structure for the compensation scheme, so that it can be setup as quickly as possible. The Paymaster General has stated that this second interim report will aim to meet the Government’s objective to act expediently in providing compensation to victims once the final report is published in the autumn.
Those affected by this scandal have suffered terribly over many years and that heart-breaking and unimaginable pain has been compounded by the financial uncertainty many have faced. I hope that these interim payments will start the process of securing that certainty and I want to reassure you that the Government will continue to stand by all those impacted by this horrific tragedy.