Infected Blood Inquiry. Read indexed debates, questions, statements and early day motions, with links to the original parliamentary records.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the contaminated blood inquiry takes evidence at a session in Northern Ireland.
The Infected Blood Inquiry is a statutory inquiry, independent of Government, and the procedure and conduct of the Inquiry are a matter for the Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 7 January 2014 to Question 181906 on monthly payments through the Skipton Fund Stage 2 to people who contracted Hepatitis C through NHS treatment, and Answer of 17 December 2014 to Question 218002 on monthly payments from MFET Ltd to people who contracted HIV through NHS treatment, whether people who meet the Hepatitis C Stage 1 and Hepatitis C Special Category Mechanism under the EIBSS eligibility crite...
Since 1988, successive Governments have voluntarily provided ex-gratia financial and non-financial support for people affected by HIV and/or hepatitis C through historic treatment with National Health Service-supplied blood or blood products in the 1970s and 80s.
The England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) was established in 2017. Devolved support schemes were also set up in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. This model of support replaced that historically provided by the Alliance House organisations, which included the Skipton Fund.
EIBSS provides tiered non-discretionary annual payments to eligible infected beneficiaries, based on their type and stage of infection. The majority of beneficiaries opt for these payments to be split into monthly instalments.
We will consider any recommendations when the Infected Blood Inquiry reports, including any around financial support.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made with on convening a meeting with the health ministers of the four nations of the UK to discuss the Infected Blood Inquiry.
The Government is aware that there remains significant disparities in financial and non-financial support for people infected and affected by contaminated blood and blood products across the UK. I am working with HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care and health departments in the devolved administrations to take forward the actions necessary to address these disparities and Cabinet Office officials are in regular contact with colleagues in the devolved administrations on the progress of this work. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of such discussions are not normally disclosed.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the Infected Blood Inquiry.
The Government is aware that there remains significant disparities in financial and non-financial support for people infected and affected by contaminated blood and blood products across the UK. I am working with HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care and health departments in the devolved administrations to take forward the actions necessary to address these disparities and Cabinet Office officials are in regular contact with colleagues in the devolved administrations on the progress of this work. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of such discussions are not normally disclosed.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) statutory and (b) non-statutory public inquiries being undertaken by his Department.
The Cabinet Office is responsible for two independent statutory public inquiries; the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Infected Blood Inquiry. The department has no non-statutory inquiries currently underway.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will allocate funding to ensure that widows and widowers in the four nations of the UK are included in Infected Blood ex gratia support schemes until the Infected Blood inquiry reports in 2022.
In 2017, country-specific support schemes were set up in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. These schemes are devolved, and the devolved administrations will have made different choices around their offers of support over time.
We are currently working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments on taking forward actions to address the disparities in financial and non-financial support for those infected and affected across the UK, including bereaved partners.
The report's timetable is a matter for the Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff. Sir Brian has publicly recognised the need to balance between speed and the need for thoroughness, and has made clear that the Inquiry will complete its work as quickly as a thorough examination of the facts allows.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the payment of compensation to people in Northern Ireland affected by the contaminated blood scandal before the conclusion of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
The Government believes that we should wait until the Inquiry reports before considering compensation. The Inquiry cannot make a finding of legal liability, but it could make a recommendation that the Government fundamentally increases what it pays to the infected and affected, and that it does so on a different basis. Government will act on the Inquiry's recommendations with the utmost urgency, when it reports.
In the meantime, we are working with our partners in the devolved nations, including Northern Ireland, and other relevant Government departments to improve the parity of financial support for those infected by the infected blood scandal, across the United Kingdom.
The Department of Health NI was allocated £1.03 million in January 2020 monitoring, ringfenced for the specific purpose of providing financial support to the infected and affected.
Of this £610,780 was committed in the interim payments announced on 27 January and has been paid out. Therefore £419,220 remains, which the NI Health Minister committed to allocating before the end of this financial year.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to meet representatives of victims and families of the contaminated blood scandal on a framework for compensation, before the conclusion of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
In January 2020, the then Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health met campaigners representing people infected and affected. A number of issues were raised, including support that would assist people outside of the inquiry process. Ministers have committed to looking at these issues carefully and to report back on where progress can be made.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to extend the compensation scheme for carers of victims of contaminated blood transfusions beyond widows and partners.
Since 1988, successive Governments have voluntarily provided ex-gratia financial and non-financial support for people affected by HIV and/or hepatitis C through historic treatment with National Health Service-supplied blood or blood products in the 1970s and 80s.
In 2017, country specific support schemes were set up in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. These four schemes are devolved, and each nation has made different choices around their offers of support over time.
We are working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments to improve parity of support across the United Kingdom.
We will consider any recommendations when the Infected Blood Inquiry reports, including any on compensation and other support.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria his Department uses to select the patient-side participants in meetings on resolving the contaminated blood scandal.
The attendance list for the recent meeting between Ministers and campaigners was the subject of careful consideration by Cabinet Office to ensure representation from a wide range of groups across the infected and affected communities.
The agenda for the 28 January meeting was circulated to attendees before the meeting. The record of the meeting has been circulated to attendees for comments on factual accuracy. The Cabinet Office has no plans to publish the minute.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) agendas and (b) minutes of the meetings with patient-side participants on the contaminated blood scandal.
The attendance list for the recent meeting between Ministers and campaigners was the subject of careful consideration by Cabinet Office to ensure representation from a wide range of groups across the infected and affected communities.
The agenda for the 28 January meeting was circulated to attendees before the meeting. The record of the meeting has been circulated to attendees for comments on factual accuracy. The Cabinet Office has no plans to publish the minute.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide resources to ensure that the palliative care of victims of the contaminated blood transfusions involves medical experts in the diseases contracted by those victims as a result of the contaminated transfusions.
Since 1988, successive Governments have voluntarily provided ex-gratia financial and non-financial support for people affected by HIV and/or hepatitis C through historic treatment with National Health Service-supplied blood or blood products in the 1970s and 80s.
In 2017, country specific support schemes were set up in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. These four schemes are devolved, and each nation has made different choices around their offers of support over time.
We are working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments to improve parity of support across the United Kingdom.
We will consider any recommendations when the Infected Blood Inquiry reports, including any on compensation and other support.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure parity of financial compensation for people affected by the infected blood scandal in each nation of the UK; and if he will make a statement.
The Government established the England Infected Blood Support Scheme in 2017 to provide dedicated ex-gratia financial and non-financial support to people infected by HIV and/or hepatitis C through treatment with National Health Service-supplied blood or blood products, and their affected families. This scheme is currently administered by NHS Business Services Authority.
We are working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments to improve parity of support across the United Kingdom.
We will consider any recommendations when the Infected Blood Inquiry reports, including those on compensation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his Department’s policy is on short-term financial support for people affected by the contaminated blood scandal before the conclusion of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Since 1988, successive Governments have voluntarily provided ex-gratia financial and non-financial support for people affected by HIV and/or hepatitis C through historic treatment with National Health Service-supplied blood or blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.
In 2017, country specific support schemes were set up in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, responsibility for these is devolved to the four nations.
We are working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments to improve parity of support across the United Kingdom.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the timetable is for the conclusion of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
The timetable for the Infected Blood Inquiry is a matter for the Chair of the independent statutory Inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff. Sir Brian has publicly recognised the need to achieve a proper balance between speed and the need for thoroughness, and has made clear that the Inquiry will complete its work as quickly as a thorough examination of the facts allows.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to consult people affected by the Contaminated Blood Scandal on the (a) effect of infection on their health and (b) adequacy of the treatment they received.
I will be meeting with members of the infected and affected community on Tuesday 28th January 2020 to listen to their experiences, so that I can hear first-hand about the issues that matter most to them.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress has been made in the inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal; and if he will make a statement.
The Infected Blood Inquiry chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff (a retired High Court Judge) and sponsored by Cabinet Office has been sitting since September 2018. So far, the inquiry has heard written and oral evidence from hundreds of those ‘infected and affected’.
The next session of the Inquiry will begin in February 2020, when it will hear from its own expert panel on the ‘psycho-social impact’ of infection and what followed for individuals. Evidence from ‘institutional’ witnesses such as from Government and the National Health Service is expected to be sought later this year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to equalise all payments to those (a) infected and (b) affected by the contaminated blood scandal regardless of route of infection.
The Government remains committed to addressing disparity in the support offered to those infected and affected by the infected blood disaster, across the United Kingdom.
The Department is working with relevant Government departments to resolve the immediate and pressing disparity between the English support scheme and those in Northern Ireland and Wales. The Government intends to launch a consultation between the four nations of the UK to achieve comprehensive parity for all those infected and affected and to consider the broader issues of support.
In addition to considering any recommendations made by the Infected Blood Inquiry.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings the Minister responsible for the Infected Blood inquiry has had with (a) people and (b) organisations representing people infected or affected by the sc
I am the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry. Following correspondence from the Prime Minister I have written to victims and organisations representing those infected and affected offering to meet with them.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what meetings are planned for the Infected Blood Inquiry with (a) people infected or affected and (b) organisations representing people who have been infected or affected
I am the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry. Following correspondence from the Prime Minister I have written to victims and organisations representing those infected and affected offering to meet with them.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reasons parents and children of people who have died after being infected by contaminated blood products do not receive on-going financial support.
The England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) currently makes provision for ex gratia one-off payments to eligible spouses, civil partners and long-term partners for individuals meeting qualifying criteria.
The EIBSS also makes provision to help with the costs of bringing up children of an infected beneficiary in the form of an income top-up payment. This is a discretionary monthly payment to increase household income to help with general living costs. These are means-tested payments for dependants who are defined as children of an infected beneficiary up to the age of 18 years, or up to 21 if in full-time education.
In July 2017 the then Prime Minister announced the establishment of the Infected Blood Enquiry. This statutory inquiry chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, will examine why men, women and children in the United Kingdom were given infected blood and/or infected blood products and the impact on their families. The Inquiry will consider the nature and the adequacy of the treatment, care and support (including financial assistance) and the Government will carefully consider any recommendations made.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the Government will compensate (a) victims of and (b) family members affected by the contaminated blood scandal.
The England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) was established in 2017 to provide dedicated financial support to people infected by HIV and/or hepatitis C through treatment with National Health Service-supplied blood or blood products, and their affected families. This scheme is currently administered by NHS Business Services Authority.
The Government announced a £30 million uplift to the financial support available to registered EIBSS beneficiaries on 30 April 2019.
The discretionary and non-discretionary payments made to beneficiaries and are on an ex-gratia basis; any award of compensation will depend on a determination of legal liability, to which the Infected Blood Inquiry’s determinations and recommendations may be relevant.
We are committed to working with counterpart schemes in the devolved administrations to look at the issue of parity of support across the United Kingdom and are engaging in discussions on this issue.
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons the Government has not responded to the letter of the hon. Member for Kingston Upon Hull North dated the 1 August 2019 on compensation for victims of the contaminated blood scandal.
As Minister for the Cabinet Office, I have Ministerial responsibility for the Infected Blood Inquiry. I replied to the letter from the hon. Member for Kingston Upon Hull on 30 September, and have apologised to her for the time taken to reply to her letter to the Prime Minister of 1 August.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will allocate the additional funding announced by the Chancellor during Spending Round 2019 to compensate people affected by contaminated blood scandal.
The contaminated blood scandal was a tragedy that has caused unimaginable pain and hurt to victims and their families.
The Infected Blood Inquiry is UK-wide and the Inquiry terms of reference include consideration of financial assistance across all the nations of the UK.
The Minister of State for Northern Ireland recently met with the Chair of Haemophilia NI to discuss the issue of support for victims in Northern Ireland.
However, this is a devolved matter and the allocation of the NI budget is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether there is a Barnett consequential to the existing Northern Ireland infected blood payment scheme.
As stated in the letter sent to the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry on 30 April 2019, the Government is committed to working with its counterparts in the devolved administrations to look at the issue of parity of support across the United Kingdom. I have written to Richard Pengelly, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health in Northern Ireland and other counterparts in the other devolved nations inviting them to meet to discuss this issue, and a date is currently being sought for this meeting to take place.
The recently announced £30 million uplift in payments in England will be coming from existing 2019/20 Department of Health and Social Care’s non-National Health Service budget and is not a new allocation from HM Treasury. There is therefore no Barnett consequential arising from this for the existing Northern Ireland scheme.