Public Inquiry
Interim compensation of £100,000 to be paid
Written by Aaron Dennis, August 16, 2022
The government will pay interim compensation of £100,000 to anyone registered on a UK infected blood support scheme, it announced today.
After much speculation, plans for the interim compensation payment have finally been unveiled. The government has accepted the recommendation made in July by Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, who called for interim payments of no less than £100,000 to be paid to those infected and affected who are currently registered on a UK support scheme.
‘Steps must be taken now to set up a workable scheme which can deliver full compensation quickly and fairly.’
The money should be paid to recipients in England by the end of October. We are waiting for confirmation of the details in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The lump-sum is tax-free will not be affect any benefits that individuals may be receiving.
Kate Burt, Chief Executive of the Haemophilia Society (THS), said: ‘This is the first time a UK government has paid compensation for infection and suffering caused by the contaminated blood scandal. While welcoming this news, there is still a long way to go in ensuring that all those who have endured devastating loss and suffering – such as bereaved parents and children – are recognised and compensated.
‘Steps must be taken now to set up a workable scheme which can deliver full compensation quickly and fairly.’
The government estimates that the interim payments will cost about £400m across the UK. We have not received any detail about how the payments will be made, but anyone who is eligible will hear directly from their support scheme about what happens next. We will update you when we know more. It is not yet clear what happens to those who are eligible for a scheme, but have not yet been accepted on it.
Today’s announcement comes after months of pressure. Our chair, Clive Smith, is pictured at 10 Downing Street in July as part of a joint delegation of campaign groups and politicians who handed in a letter to the Prime Minister demanding that interim compensation be paid. In June, the government published a report it commissioned by Sir Robert Francis QC which looked at a framework for compensation. In his report, Sir Robert said there was a ‘compelling case’ for interim compensation to be paid to the infected. The government has still not published its response to Sir Robert’s compensation report.
Announcing the interim payment, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘While nothing can make up for the pain and suffering endured by those affected by this tragic injustice, we are taking action to do right by victims and those who have tragically lost their partners by making sure they receive these interim payments as quickly as possible.
We will continue to stand by all those impacted by this horrific tragedy and I want to personally pay tribute to all those who have so determinedly fought for justice.’
This announcement leaves out many who have suffered terrible loss, such as parents of children who died and children whose parents died. We will continue to campaign for the government to respond in full to Sir Robert’s report and to start preparing for the payment of full compensation by setting up legal and medical panels and to look at issues such as how to avoid inheritance tax being payable on compensation to estates.
As soon as we have more details we will post updates. You can contact our Public Inquiry Team on [email protected] or call 0207 939 0780.