To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many requests for meetings on the infected blood inquiry and recommendations he has received from (a) victims, (b) organisations representing victims and (c) victims' lawyers since 13 November 2023; and how many such meetings he (i) has had and (ii) plans to have.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Since 13 November 2023 I have received 58 letters and emails about the Infected Blood scandal including from people infected and affected. I have been deeply affected by the suffering and trauma of each individual as a result of infected blood and would like to reassure the community that the Government is committed to acting swiftly following the publication of the final report. I plan to engage with the infected blood community as soon as I have a substantive update to share on the Government response. I am mindful of the anxiety that those infected and affected must be experiencing at this time and would not wish to exacerbate this.
Chris Stephens · Scottish National PartyAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will convene a meeting with his counterparts in the devolved administrations to (a) discuss and (b) implement an infected blood compensation scheme.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government is committed to working with the Devolved Governments where appropriate to develop an effective response that delivers across the UK. The Inquiry has recommended that a compensation scheme be set up on a UK-wide basis and I know there is a common determination to provide appropriate redress for victims of infected blood across the United Kingdom. I will ensure that we engage with the Devolved Governments as appropriate in respect of the Government’s ongoing work to respond to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Chris Stephens · Scottish National PartyAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to provide (a) compensation and (b) interim payments to those who contracted Hepatitis B through infected blood.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Since October 2022, the Government has made interim payments of £100,000 to those infected with HIV and or Hepatitis C and bereaved partners registered with the existing Infected Blood Support Schemes, as recommended in the Infected Blood Inquiry’s first interim report. The Government is actively considering the recommendations of the second interim report, including the recommendation relating to those infected with chronic Hepatitis B, and is in the process of appointing clinical, legal and social care experts to advise on the Government’s response. The Inquiry’s recommendations are wide ranging and the Government position must be considered in light of the final report. The Inquiry will publish its final report on 20th May and I have committed to updating Parliament within 25 sitting days of its publication.
Chris Stephens · Scottish National PartyAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Scottish and Welsh governments on infected blood (a) compensation and (b) interim payments.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government is committed to working with the Devolved Governments where appropriate to develop an effective response that delivers across the UK. The Inquiry has recommended that a compensation scheme be set up on a UK-wide basis and I know there is a common determination to provide appropriate redress for victims of infected blood across the United Kingdom. I will ensure that we engage with the Devolved Governments as appropriate in respect of the Government’s ongoing work to respond to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who the (a) clinical, (b) legal and (c) care experts appointed to inform plans for delivering compensation to victims of the infected blood scandal are.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government is in the process of appointing clinical, legal and social care experts to advise the Cabinet Office on detailed technical considerations of the Government’s response to the Infected Blood Inquiry and will update Parliament in due course. The advice of experts will ensure the Government has the relevant expertise to make informed choices and to respond to the Inquiry’s recommendations on compensation following the publication of the final report on 20 May 2024.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are coordinating and disseminating lessons learned from the various current and recent past public inquiries, in particular where there are recommendations regarding policy-making procedures and machinery of government; and whether they plan to publish the steps they intend to take as a result.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
Each inquiry chair will present their conclusions and recommendations to an inquiry’s sponsor minister. It is the responsibility of the lead department to determine how best to progress and implement the inquiry’s recommendations and the department will publish its response on Gov.uk.
The Cabinet Office takes the lead on the Covid, Grenfell and Infected Blood Inquiries and looks forward to acting on lessons learned.
Damien Moore · ConservativeAnswering body: Cabinet Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published 5 April 2023, what his Department's policy is on the implementation of that report's recommendation of interim payments to children, parents and siblings of people affected by infected blood.
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. As you know, the Victims and Prisoners Bill was amended on 4 December 2023, and we are aware of the strength of feeling across Parliament on this issue. I will make a statement to Parliament as soon as possible before recess to update on Government progress.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what funding is being made available to provide compensation for those affected by the Infected Blood Inquiry; and when this funding will be made available.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
I thank the honourable Member for her question. I would like to reassure her that I am meeting with colleagues across Whitehall, including Treasury Ministers, to discuss the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations, and the Government’s response, and will update the House as soon as I can.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry on the impact of the delay to the publication of its final report on people affected.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government is committed to responding to the recommendations in the second interim report as quickly as possible following the publication of the final report. The timeline for the publication of the final report is a matter for the independent Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will take steps to implement all the recommendations of the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published 5 April 2023.
Government answer
Answering body: Cabinet Office
The Government is committed to responding to the recommendations in the second interim report as quickly as possible following the publication of the final report. The timeline for the publication of the final report is a matter for the independent Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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, 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.
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 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.