Conclusion 17

We asked the departments whether they agree that there needs to be more co-design with victims on future schemes as early as possible. The Cabinet Office told us that co-design is essential for compensation schemes, because it believes it is the only way schemes can build trust with victims and affected communities. It acknowledged that it is a core lesson and principle in building trust going forward. DBT and the MoD told us that they conducted co-design on the Horizon Group Litigation Order Scheme and the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme respectively. The MoD gave the example of co-design resulting in it establishing the separate impact payment and the identification of priority cases. The MoD also echoed the Cabinet Office’s argument that co-design can build victim trust and confidence in a scheme. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority also told us it operates a community-driven design, where it engages with and consults affected communities before deciding on any significant design features of its scheme.41 Failure to deliver compensation to victims in a timely manner