Get your MP to attend compensation debate!

Written by Jessica Bomford, May 24, 2023

MPs will demand that the government sets out when and how it will pay compensation to people infected and affected by contaminated blood products in a parliamentary debate on 22 June.

The All-Party Parliamentary Committee on Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood (APPG), co-chaired by Dame Diana Johnson MP and Sir Peter Bottomley MP, pictured, has secured the debate in the House of Commons. MPs will call on the government to announce what it is doing to implement the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recent report on compensation.

Involve your MP

The debate is a chance to involve your MP in this crucial issue. You can find your MP’s contact details here by typing in your postcode, your constituency or their name.

To raise this issue with your MP you can:

  • arrange to meet them at their regular surgeries for constituents
  • write to them by letter or email

We’ve drafted a letter here for you to download, with space to insert your details and add information about your personal circumstances. MPs are only able to respond to their own constituents so it is really important that you include your full name and address in the letter.

What MPs will discuss

On June 22, MPs will debate the following motion: ‘That this House calls on the Government to announce before the House rises for the summer recess what steps they will take to implement the recommendations of the second interim report of the Infected Blood Inquiry published on 5 April 2023, and to publish a timetable for implementation.’ The timing of the debate has not yet been confirmed but it is likely to start around 11am. You’ll be able to watch it on parliamentlive.tv or attend in person, although spaces in the public gallery cannot be reserved in advance.

On 5 April, Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the inquiry, published his recommendations on compensation, which called for a scheme to be set up immediately and begin its work this year. However, despite claims that the government is working ‘at pace’ to give a response to Sir Brian’s report, there has been nothing of substance so far.

The inquiry has also been asked to recall ministers to give evidence to try to force more details about a plan for compensation into the public domain.

If you have any questions, contact our Public Inquiry Team on 0207 939 0780 or email [email protected].