Conclusion 8

We asked the departments whether they agreed that having the body that caused the original harm administering the subsequent compensation scheme was a poor way to establish trust. The Home Office said that it understood why there is deep scepticism and lack of trust, as victims perceive that government departments are not trustworthy so would want an independent organisation to deliver redress. However, on balance, it was of the opinion that the body that has caused the harm should also be responsible for providing redress. In contrast, DBT said that, on the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, claimants low level of trust in Post Office Limited became apparent and it was a mistake in retrospect for them to administer the scheme.14 The Cabinet Office also stated that it established the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to administer the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme after reflecting on how you build trust and establish structures independent of the organisation that caused original harm.15