My Right Honourable friend the Pay Master General and the Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt Hon. John Glen MP, has today made the following statement:Today, Sir Brian Langstaff has published the final report of the independent Infected Blood Inquiry. I am authorising a copy of the report to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.I am very grateful to Sir Brian for his forensic and detailed report, his team’s diligent work over the six years of the Inquiry, and for the sensitivity ...
Recorded statement
Answering body: Cabinet Office
My Right Honourable friend the Pay Master General and the Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt Hon. John Glen MP, has today made the following statement:
Today, Sir Brian Langstaff has published the final report of the independent Infected Blood Inquiry. I am authorising a copy of the report to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.
I am very grateful to Sir Brian for his forensic and detailed report, his team’s diligent work over the six years of the Inquiry, and for the sensitivity and care with which he has ensured that the people directly and indirectly impacted by the infected blood scandal have been front and centre of his Inquiry’s work. His report is a very substantial document, and it will be impossible for anyone reading it not to be deeply affected by its content. The report lays bare the devastating consequences of the use of infected blood and blood products, and I hope it answers the questions that the infected and affected have been asking for so long.
I have listened to the strongly held views of those members of the infected blood community that I have spoken with; this day is about the truth, the community, and a time for reflection about those they have lost, and the suffering which they have endured over decades.
It is right that the Government should formally recognise this significant report on the day of publication, and so the Prime Minister will give a short statement to Parliament later today. There will be a further statement tomorrow in the Commons regarding compensation.
The Government will look to provide the House with a further opportunity to debate the Infected Blood Inquiry's final report.
Damien Moore · ConservativeAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The statement I made on 21st May to Parliament provided clarity on the Government response to the Inquiry’s second interim report. The Scheme responds directly to and is in line with the recommendations made by the Infected Blood Inquiry in its second interim report, which considered the earlier study into compensation by Sir Robert Francis KC.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect full compensation payments to have been made to the victims of the infected blood scandal and to family members of those victims who have already died.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government has committed to update Parliament through an oral statement on next steps within 25 sitting days following 20 May. It is our intention to make this statement as soon as possible. Additionally, we have tabled a Government amendment ahead of Report Stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill to fix technical deficiencies, whilst working in the spirit of Dame Diana Johnson’s amendment. The amendment has been tabled with the intention of speeding up the implementation of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Drew Hendry · Scottish National PartyAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 22 of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023, what steps his Department plans to take to help ensure (a) the independence of and (b) confidence in the arms length body.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The victims of the scandal are at the forefront of my mind, and it is critical to ensure that any scheme works effectively for the victims. The Government will respond in full to Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report. Additionally, we are tabling a Government amendment at Report Stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the Other Place to fix technical deficiencies, while working in the spirit of Dame Diana Johnson’s amendment. The amendment is tabled with the intention of speeding up the implementation of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how often he has discussions with the Infected Blood Inquiry on the implementation of compensation recommendations.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
I, and my predecessors in this role, have not had formal discussions with members of the Infected Blood Inquiry team, to protect the Inquiry’s independence from Government. The Government has committed to update Parliament through an oral statement on next steps within 25 sitting days following the publication of the Inquiry’s final report on 20 May, and it is our intention to make this statement as soon as possible.
Karl McCartney · ConservativeAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who has been appointed to the Infected Blood Inquiry expert group.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery has been appointed as the chair of the expert group to advise on the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendations on compensation. The names of the other members of the expert group have not been disclosed to safeguard the privacy and ability of experts to continue their frontline clinical roles whilst advising on Government policy.