Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Cabinet Office

On 18 December 2023 I updated the House that the Government would appoint a group of clinical, legal and social care experts to advise the Cabinet Office on detailed technical considerations of responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendations on compensation.

Further to my December update, I am today pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery as Chair of this expert group. Sir Jonathan will lead the expert group to provide me, the responsible Minister for the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry, technical advice on compensation.

Both my Right Honourable Friend Earl Howe GBE and I have met separately with Sir Jonathan to discuss the technical advice the expert group will provide and are reassured that the group is working as quickly as possible to advise the Government in responding to the Inquiry’s recommendations following the publication of the final report.

Sir Jonathan is an experienced healthcare law scholar who has played a leading role in UK public bioethics for many years, having previously chaired the Human Genetics Commission (2009-2012), the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (2012-2017) and the Health Research Authority (2012-2019). Sir Jonathan is currently the Chair of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Healthcare Law at University College London. Sir Jonathan received a knighthood in 2019 for his services to bioethics and Healthcare Law.

Ensuring the victims of the infected blood scandal receive the justice and recognition they deserve remains my top priority and I look forward to working with Sir Jonathan and the expert advisory group to ensure that the Government has the relevant expertise to make informed choices in responding to the inquiry’s recommendations on compensation.

Answering body: Cabinet Office

My Rt Hon Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and HM Paymaster General, Jeremy Quin MP, has today made the following statement:

The Infected Blood Inquiry Chair has announced that the Inquiry’s final report has been delayed from Autumn 2023 and will now be published in March 2024. I recognise the calls for urgency from those who have suffered and continue to suffer, and I remain committed to responding to the Inquiry as quickly as the Government is able to do so. However, it is only reasonable that the Government’s response is fully informed by Sir Brian’s final report.

I am aware that for some the Inquiry, as well as the ongoing parliamentary and public interest in this important issue, has meant reliving painful memories and feelings of loss and grief. I have been deeply moved to hear of the suffering and trauma that each individual has encountered as a result of this tragedy.

The timetable of the Inquiry is a matter for the independent Chair and the Government supports his desire to complete the Inquiry’s vital work quickly but with the necessary thoroughness. The Government continues to fully support the Inquiry in its important work and is working hard to be ready to respond.

I will update Parliament as soon as it is appropriate.