To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects the Infected Blood Inquiry to publish its final findings and recommendations; and what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of awarding interim payments as soon as possible to those previously accepted as eligible for support.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The timing of the independent Inquiry is a matter for Sir Brian Langstaff, the Chair of the Inquiry. Sir Brian has made clear his intention to complete his work as quickly as reasonable thoroughness allows.
As the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry, I announced on 7 June the publication of the study by Sir Robert Francis QC into a framework of compensation for people directly affected by infected blood (HCWS79). Sir Robert will give evidence about his work to the Infected Blood Inquiry on 11 and 12 July.
The government is considering Sir Robert’s recommendations and it is most important that the government is able to reflect upon Sir Robert’s evidence and the evidence of others to the Inquiry as part of that consideration.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many lump sum (1) regular, and (2) discretionary, one-off payments were made between the establishment of the Infected Blood Inquiry in 2017 to July 2018.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
This information is not held in the format requested. The Infected Blood Inquiry was established in July 2018. The England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) is administered by the NHS Business Service Authority and began operation on 1 November 2017. In England, the EIBSS makes regular payments to beneficiaries, paid either monthly or quarterly, a winter fuel payment in Quarter 3 of each year and one-off lump sum and discretionary payments.
Data on the number of payments made between November 2017 and March 2018 is not held centrally. However, the following table shows the total payments made in each category between November 2017 and March 2018.
Regular payment £10,774,736
Lump sum payment £2,634,105
Discretionary £1,292,921
The following table shows number of payments and the total payments made in each category between April and July 2018.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Infected Blood Inquiry on (a) ongoing funding for the support scheme payments and (b) financial settlements recommended in Sir Robert Francis' report.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government has committed to providing support for those infected and affected. Ex-gratia support has been provided to those affected by this issue since 1988. No policy discussions have taken place with the statutory Inquiry, that is independent.
As the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry, I announced earlier this week the publication of the study by Sir Robert Francis QC into a framework of compensation for people directly affected by infected blood. Sir Robert will give evidence about his work to the Infected Blood Inquiry on 11th and 12th July. The government is considering Sir Robert’s recommendations.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any payments were made to families of those who were infected by contaminated blood since the settlement in 1990, and the opening of the present inquiry into contaminated blood; and if such payments were made, what years they took place; how many payments were made; and what was the total amount paid.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The information requested on payments made between 1990 and the start of the Infected Blood Inquiry in 2017 is not held centrally.
Since 2017, support for those affected has been provided through four national infected blood support schemes. In England, the England Infected Blood Support Scheme is operated by the NHS Business Services Authority. Prior to the current scheme, support was provided by five independently operated schemes. These provided a range of lump sums, regular payments and smaller one-off payments to meet the immediate needs of individuals infected with hepatitis C or HIV, those who were co-infected and their families.
Douglas Chapman · Scottish National PartyAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will confirm that liabilities in respect of the UK Contaminated Blood Scandal will be covered directly and exclusively by the Government.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
It is important that we wait for the conclusion of the independent Infected Blood Inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff. The Government will consider Sir Brian’s findings and recommendations once the Inquiry has reported.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Infected Blood Inquiry report will be published (a) in full, and (b) directly after it is submitted to the Government.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS681, made on 15 March.
Ian Lavery · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government has communicated the right to claim from the England Infected Blood Support scheme to veterans who were infected with hepatitis C and/or HIV in a British Military Hospital.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
There have been no specific communications. Information about the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS), including eligibility, is available on the NHS Business Service Authority’s website. The NHS Business Services Authority also works with a range of charities which support those infected with HIV or hepatitis C to signpost potential beneficiaries to the EIBSS. The ongoing Infected Blood Inquiry may also direct potential beneficiaries to the Scheme. Medical professionals within the National Health Service have also been made aware of the EIBSS to inform patients who may be eligible.
David Mundell · ConservativeAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will confirm that (a) Sir Robert Francis' Infected Blood Compensation Framework Study will be published soon after he has received it and (b) it will be given to the Infected Blood Inquiry soon after he ha
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 24 February to PQ 125060.
Charlotte Nichols · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department will supply to the Infected Blood Inquiry all documents which were subject to claims of public interest immunity during the HIV haemophilia litigation in 1990.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The Department supplied those documents requested by the Inquiry where these were retained in its archives.
Charlotte Nichols · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has waived litigation privilege in respect of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The Department has waived legal professional privilege in relation to relevant historic litigation and legal advice to the start of the Inquiry in July 2017.
Charlotte Nichols · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has waived legal privilege in respect of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The Department has waived legal professional privilege in relation to relevant historic litigation and legal advice to the start of the Inquiry in July 2017.
Damien Moore · ConservativeAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of proposing a timeline to respond to Sir Robert Francis QC’s report in relation to the infected blood inquiry, following its publication no later than 14 March 2022.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Sir Robert Francis QC is conducting a study that looks at options for a framework for compensation for people infected and affected by infected blood. The study will report to the Paymaster General with its recommendations before the Infected Blood Inquiry reports. Sir Robert will deliver his study no later than 14 March 2022. The Government will give full consideration to Sir Robert's study - which is separate from the independent public inquiry.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timetable is for publication of the outcome of the infected blood inquiry compensation consultation.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 23 Sept 2021 - the consultation closed on 9 August 2021 and the Terms of Reference for the study have now been published online. I look forward to receiving Sir Robert's recommendations.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his expected timetable is for publication of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The timetable for the Infected Blood Inquiry is a matter for Sir Brian Langstaff, the Chair of the independent statutory Inquiry. Sir Brian has said that the work of the Inquiry will be completed as quickly as reasonable thoroughness permits - recognising that those infected and affected are still suffering today.
The Inquiry is continuing to work at pace, and will hear evidence and presentations between now and December 2021. Further details on progress can be found on the Infected Blood Inquiry website - https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether people affected by contaminated blood products will have access to legal representation for the infected blood compensation framework review.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The compensation framework study will provide advice on potential compensation framework design and solutions to Government. It is important that Sir Robert Francis QC, the independent reviewer, is able to complete his work as quickly as thoroughness allows.
At the outset of the Infected Blood Inquiry, the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster decided that it was overwhelmingly in the public interest that legal representation for infected and affected core participants in the inquiry should be funded by Government, and without means testing. This funding will continue until the conclusion of the Inquiry. However, this study is quite separate from the Inquiry. Sir Robert will want to hear directly from infected and affected people and put them at the heart of the process. Legal representation will not be required in order to put forward views.
Wayne David · LabourAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with (a) the Welsh Government and (b) the other devolved administrations on implementing a framework for compensation for the victims of contaminated blood to ensure that there is parity of support for all the victims across the UK.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Work is currently underway across the government on a number of infected blood issues. I will update the House shortly on progress.
The (then) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry on 2 July 2018, approving legal support funding for people infected, and their families. Details of how to apply for funding are on the Inquiry’s website - Statement of Approach: Legal Representation at Public Expense.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will introduce a full bereavement pension for people affected by the contaminated blood scandal in England.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Work is currently underway across the government on a number of infected blood issues. I will update the House shortly on progress.
The (then) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry on 2 July 2018, approving legal support funding for people infected, and their families. Details of how to apply for funding are on the Inquiry’s website - Statement of Approach: Legal Representation at Public Expense.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure individuals and families affected by the contaminated blood scandal are adequately compensated.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Work is currently underway across the government on a number of infected blood issues. I will update the House shortly on progress.
The (then) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry on 2 July 2018, approving legal support funding for people infected, and their families. Details of how to apply for funding are on the Inquiry’s website - Statement of Approach: Legal Representation at Public Expense.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure victims and their families involved in the contaminated blood scandal are able to access the necessary legal support required.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Work is currently underway across the government on a number of infected blood issues. I will update the House shortly on progress.
The (then) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry on 2 July 2018, approving legal support funding for people infected, and their families. Details of how to apply for funding are on the Inquiry’s website - Statement of Approach: Legal Representation at Public Expense.
Dame Diana Johnson · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people affected by the contaminated blood inquiry are kept fully informed on developments in that inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The Infected Blood Inquiry is a statutory Inquiry sponsored by Cabinet Office. The Inquiry is independent of the Government, therefore we are unable to comment on the Inquiry's work.
Dame Diana Johnson · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Government plans to announce what progress has been made with the compensation framework review in relation to the contaminated blood inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The Government remains committed to considering a potential framework for compensation, as well as actions to address disparities in financial and non-financial support for people infected and affected across the United Kingdom.
Officials at the Cabinet Office are working with colleagues in HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care and health departments in the devolved administrations on this review.
Dame Diana Johnson · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that after the Inquiry into Contaminated Blood no beneficiary of the England Infected Blood Support Scheme will be financially worse off.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
We will consider any recommendations when the Infected Blood Inquiry reports, including any around financial support.
Dame Diana Johnson · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to provide assurance to people receiving regular support through the England Infected Blood Support Scheme that they will not be forced to leave that scheme afte
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
We will consider any recommendations when the Infected Blood Inquiry reports, including any around financial support. There is no intention to reduce the amount of financial support given to beneficieries.
Stuart C McDonald · Scottish National PartyAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his policy is on placing material related to the contaminated blood scandal at the National Archives; what plans are in place for ensuring appropriate access to the material for the public and for the Infected Blood Inquiry; and whether documents previously declared lost are included and identifiable.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The Department is obliged by the Public Records Act 1967, as amended, to consider records for permanent preservation at the National Archives, including those related to blood policy. The schedule for transfer is set out in secondary legislation, the Freedom of Information (Definition of Historical Records) (Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2012.
The Infected Blood Inquiry has reviewed thousands of files from the Department and has always been free to request access to files they wish to review. We have been transparent in making available documents believed to have been lost but subsequently returned by third party solicitors, having already made these available on the Department’s website in 2006.
Ian Lavery · LabourAnswering body: Department of Health and Social Care
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to assure Haemophiliacs that the Coronavirus vaccination is safe following evidence given by Professor Ludlam to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care
The COVID-19 vaccine is made from a non-human source material and so there is no risk of infection from the manufacturing process. There are no components of human or animal origin in any of the COVID-19 vaccines. The quality data for any COVID-19 vaccine is robustly and thoroughly reviewed with scientific rigour before approval of the vaccine to ensure safety for all, including those with haemophilia. In addition, each batch is tested to ensure the absence of contaminating viruses and other microorganisms. This orthogonal approach, which is applied to all medicinal products and vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccines ensures that no batch of product would ever be released for use if it were to contain any viral or microbiological contaminants.