Wayne David · LabourAnswering body: Department for Work and Pensions
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has had discussions with the Cabinet Office on the potential merits of amending the benefits assessment process for victims of the contaminated blood scandal.
Government answer
Answering body: Department for Work and Pensions
The Infected Blood Inquiry is ongoing, and it is only reasonable that the inquiry concludes and provides its final recommendations before the Government responds. The Government is undertaking the necessary work to enable a swift response to the full report, when it is published.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to act as a contribution towards the extra costs that arise from needs related to a long-term health condition or disability. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is an income-replacement benefit for individuals who have a health condition or disability that limits their capability to work.
People whose ability to work or to live independently which has been affected as a consequence of receiving infected blood can claim, and in many cases are already claiming, these benefits. The department has talked to people affected and improved its processes to ensure these claims are dealt with quickly and accurately.
Eligibility for these benefits is not based on the diagnosis of a health condition or disability. Instead, both the Work Capability Assessment, which determines entitlement to ESA and the additional health-related amount of Universal Credit, and the PIP assessment, assess the impact of a person’s health condition or disability on doing everyday tasks to determine eligibility for the benefit. In practice, these assessments will often be a paper-based process where people are seriously ill.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published 5 April 2023, if he will take steps to establish an Arms Length Body to administer the compensation scheme for individuals (a)
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government has committed to responding to the recommendations in the second interim report, including the recommendation to establish an arms-length body, following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings (a) he and (b) his Department has had with individuals infected and affected by contaminated blood in each of the last five years.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
It is a measure of the scale of the infected blood scandal that the statutory Inquiry has over 2,000 infected and affected core participants. My predecessors as Ministers responsible for the Infected Blood Inquiry held formal roundtable meetings with groups of infected and affected people and representatives of campaign groups in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, at which my predecessors were able to hear directly from infected and affected people. Further meetings took place with individuals and their Members of Parliament once each in 2021 and 2022.
In addition to this, my predecessors have had informal meetings with groups of individuals while attending hearings of the Inquiry and in the margins of a Westminster Hall debate. My officials often correspond with and speak to individuals and campaigners in the course of their work.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department will implement Recommendation 12 of the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published 5 April 2023.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Work is currently underway across Government to give thorough consideration to each of the recommendations that Sir Brian made in his second interim report. The Government is committed to acting swiftly in response to the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, and is awaiting its publication by the Inquiry.
Mr Nicholas Brown · IndependentAnswering body: Department for Work and Pensions
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will take steps to passport people infected with haemophilia that are eligible for compensation via the Infected Blood Inquiry, and their affected partners, onto (a) PIP and (b) ESA.
Government answer
Answering body: Department for Work and Pensions
The Infected Blood Inquiry is ongoing, and it is only reasonable that the inquiry concludes and provides its final recommendations before the Government responds. The Government is undertaking the necessary work to enable a swift response to the full report, when it is published.
People affected by the infected blood issue can already use independent benefit calculators that can be accessed via the Government website at www.gov.uk, by searching for 'benefit calculators'. These calculators allow a person to enter details of their own financial position and receive instant advice as to whether they may be entitled to any benefits. Capital disregard rules in means-tested benefits mean that recipients of infected blood compensation payments can receive these without it affecting their means-tested benefit entitlement.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to act as a contribution towards the extra costs that arise from needs related to a long-term health condition or disability. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is an income-replacement benefit for individuals who have a health condition or disability that limits their capability to work.
Eligibility to these benefits is not based on the diagnosis of a health condition or disability. Instead, both the Work Capability Assessment, which determines entitlement to ESA and the additional health-related amount of Universal Credit, and the PIP assessment, assess the impact of a person’s health condition or disability on doing everyday tasks to determine eligibility for the benefit.
To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to page 60 of the Infected Blood Inquiry's second interim report, published on 5 April, what work they have been done to register those eligible for interim compensation payments with existing support schemes, before the final report is published.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government continues to make progress with the work necessary to enable a response to the full report when it is published in March next year. It is only reasonable that the Inquiry, whose work is in train, concludes and provides their final recommendations before the Government takes action. The Government recognises that there is interest in pre-registration for compensation ahead of its response to the Inquiry’s final report. However, as the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out to the Inquiry in July, opening registration for compensation before the Government has finalised its response would be a difficult step to take.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their response to recommendation 18 of the Infected Blood Inquiry's second interim report, published on 5 April, that a compensation scheme should be set up now and it should begin work this year.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government continues to make progress with the work necessary to enable a response to the full report when it is published in March next year. It is only reasonable that the Inquiry, whose work is in train, concludes and provides their final recommendations before the Government takes action. The Government recognises that there is interest in pre-registration for compensation ahead of its response to the Inquiry’s final report. However, as the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out to the Inquiry in July, opening registration for compensation before the Government has finalised its response would be a difficult step to take.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his Department's expected timescale is for receiving the final report of Sir Brian Langstaff on the contaminated blood inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
I refer the Honourable Member to the written ministerial statement of 23 October 2023.https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-10-23/debates/23102320000007/InfectedBloodInquiry
Chloe Smith · ConservativeAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry on the reasons for which the final report of the inquiry will not be published until 2024; what steps he is taking to implement a compensation framework for infected blood victims; and if he will make a statement.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government continues to make progress and is working to be ready to respond soon after the publication of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, following the interim payments we have already made. On 23 October I issued a public statement on the Government’s current position in responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry. The timetable of the Inquiry is a matter for the chair. I will update the House as soon as I have further information to provide.
Wayne David · LabourAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress the Government has made on implementing the recommendations in the report by (a) Sir Robert Francis entitled Compensation and Redress for the Victims of Infected Blood: Recommendations for a Framework, published on 7 June 2022, and (b) the Infected Blood Inquiry entitled Second Interim Report, published on 5 April 2023; and if he will make a statement.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government continues to make progress and is working to be ready to respond soon after the publication of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, following the interim payments we have already made. On 23 October I issued a public statement on the Government’s current position in responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry. The timetable of the Inquiry is a matter for the chair. I will update the House as soon as I have further information to provide.
Jeremy Quin · ConservativeAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
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 ...
Recorded statement
Answering body: Cabinet Office
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.
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 rea...
Recorded statement
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.
Wayne David · LabourAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government has made on implementing the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry's report entitled Second Interim Report, published on 5 April 2023.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
I refer the Honourable Member to my previous answer to UIN 201237 on 20th October 2023.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the second interim report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023, what steps he is taking to respond to recommendation (k).
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government continues to make progress with the work necessary to enable a response to the full report, when it is published. In July 2022, I provided evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry setting out the current Government thinking and I will update the House as soon as I am able to provide further information.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people who were infected with contaminated blood (1) are eligible for, and (2) have received, the £100,000 interim compensation payment under the Infected Blood Support Scheme.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The Infected Blood Inquiry’s terms of reference include the task to “ascertain, as far as practicable, the likely numbers of people who have been infected (directly or indirectly) in consequence of: a) the use of infected blood; and b) the use of infected blood products”.
To this end, the Inquiry’s Statistical Expert Group has published two reports. The first, published in September 2022, contains estimated numbers of people infected by blood and blood products as well as estimated numbers of those people who subsequently died; however, this excludes those with Hepatitis B and secondary infections. The second supplementary report, published in July 2023, updates the Committee’s estimates of the numbers of people who died because of their infection. Due to its size, a copy of the first report has been placed in the Library. A copy of the second report is attached.
In July, the Inquiry published a note on interim compensation payments made on behalf of the Government by the four national Infected Blood Support Schemes. The note shows the number of people registered and payments made as of July 2023; however, information on the numbers of eligible people is not available. A copy of the note is attached.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Infected Blood Inquiry, how many people were infected by contaminated blood; how many of those died as a consequence; and how many are now eligible for interim compensation payments under the Infected Blood Support Scheme.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The Infected Blood Inquiry’s terms of reference include the task to “ascertain, as far as practicable, the likely numbers of people who have been infected (directly or indirectly) in consequence of: a) the use of infected blood; and b) the use of infected blood products”.
To this end, the Inquiry’s Statistical Expert Group has published two reports. The first, published in September 2022, contains estimated numbers of people infected by blood and blood products as well as estimated numbers of those people who subsequently died; however, this excludes those with Hepatitis B and secondary infections. The second supplementary report, published in July 2023, updates the Committee’s estimates of the numbers of people who died because of their infection. Due to its size, a copy of the first report has been placed in the Library. A copy of the second report is attached.
In July, the Inquiry published a note on interim compensation payments made on behalf of the Government by the four national Infected Blood Support Schemes. The note shows the number of people registered and payments made as of July 2023; however, information on the numbers of eligible people is not available. A copy of the note is attached.
That this House recognises that the Government has acted on the recommendations set out in the first interim report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, with interim compensation payments made to individuals infected by infected blood; further recognises that interim compensation payments to bereaved partners and families affected by the infected blood scandal are under active consideration; and calls on the Government to further recognise the extreme urgency and life-limiting situation facing indi...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to provide an immediate second interim payment to people who received infected blood and blood products in the context of the compensation arrangements relating to the infected blood inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Work is underway to consider the recommendations in Sir Brian Langstaff's second interim report, including those relating to further interim compensation payments. It is important that we give consideration to the recommendations ahead of making any announcements. I am committed to updating the House on these matters as soon as is appropriate.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the oral contribution by the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office of 22 June 2023, Official Report, columns 1004-05, when the Small Ministerial Group on the Infected Blood Inquiry's second interim report is expected to reach a conclusion on the recommendations on the inclusion of people affected by Hepatitis B.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
As set out in the debate held on Thursday 22nd June, the Government intends to respond to Sir Brian’s recommendations following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report in the autumn. This does not preclude the possibility of making earlier announcements on these matters, and I am committed to updating the House as appropriate as the Government progresses this work.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the oral contribution of 22 June 2023 by the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Official Report, col. 1005, when the Small Ministerial Group expects to reach a conclusion on the recommendations of the second interim report of the Infected Blood Inquiry on the (a) structure and membership and (b) date of establishment of an independent arms length body to administer the compensation scheme.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
As set out in the debate held on Thursday 22nd June, the Government intends to respond to Sir Brian’s recommendations following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report in the autumn. This does not preclude the possibility of making earlier announcements on these matters, and I am committed to updating the House as appropriate as the Government progresses this work.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the oral contribution by the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office of 22 June 2023, Official Report, columns 1004-05, when the Small Ministerial Group on the Infected Blood Inquiry's second interim report is expected to reach a conclusion on the recommendations on payments to bereaved parents and children.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
As set out in the debate held on Thursday 22nd June, the Government intends to respond to Sir Brian’s recommendations following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report in the autumn. This does not preclude the possibility of making earlier announcements on these matters, and I am committed to updating the House as appropriate as the Government progresses this work.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to recommendation 14 of the Infected Blood Inquiry's Second Interim Report on compensation, published on 5 April 2023, when he plans to appoint a chair to an Arms Length Body to administer the compensation scheme to eligible applicants.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
As set out in the debate held on Thursday 22nd June, the setting up of an arms-length body is under consideration by the Government. The complexities and implications of any delivery mechanism must be fully understood ahead of committing to a timetable for appointments.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing compensation to infected blood victims before the publication of the full report of the Inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government has accepted there is a moral case for compensation in respect of infected blood and has made interim compensation payments to recognise the urgent need of those registered on the existing support schemes. The Infected Blood Inquiry’s second interim report provides detailed recommendations on the framework for compensation which the Government is carefully considering.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many ongoing contaminated blood cases there are in each parliamentary constituency.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
There is no readily available data on the number of cases of infected blood in each parliamentary constituency.
The Infected Blood Inquiry published a report from its Statistical Expert Group in September 2022, which provides findings on the numbers of infections with HIV, Hepatitis C virus, Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob (vCJD) disease and Hepatitis B. This is a useful insight into the scope of this tragedy and highlights the uncertainty associated with determining the figures of those infected.