Wider Definition of Unethical Research
Infected Blood Inquiry · Additional Report on Compensation · Issued 9 July 2025 · Addressed to: UK Government
Government responseUK Government: Accepted in part (Jul 2025)
DeliveryCabinet Office says in progress (Jul 2026)
Recommendation, verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
When considering the evidence IBCA applies the wider definition of research explained in the Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report chapter on Unethical Research.
Infected Blood Inquiry, Additional Report on Compensation · 9 Jul 2025 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
AI-generated evidence summary
The Inquiry asked the UK Government to apply a wider definition of unethical research. In July 2026, regulations made by the Secretary of State and signed by Louise Haigh, First Secretary of State, established that an eligible person was subject to unethical research practices if treated for a bleeding disorder before 1986 (The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2026, Jul 2026). The Cabinet Office had stated in April 2026 that people would not need to prove participation in a specific medical trial (Cabinet Office, Apr 2026). The department previously announced in July 2025 that it would consult on an award requiring minimal evidence (Cabinet Office response, Jul 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 5 Oct 2026.
Government response
●UK Government · Accepted in part · 21 Jul 2025
The issue of unethical research is one of the most shocking areas of this scandal. In his oral evidence to the Inquiry, the Minister for the Cabinet Office agreed to look again at how the Scheme compensates victims of unethical research. As the Inquiry recommended, the Government will look to consult on the best way forward to provide an award that requires minimal evidence, minimises delays, and ensures consistency across awarding criteria.
Extract from: Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report Government Response
Delivery
●Cabinet Office says in progress · 23 Jul 2026
An eligible infected person was also subject to unethical research practices if— (a) they received, in the course of NHS treatment or armed forces treatment overseas, treatment for a bleeding disorder before 1986, and (b) they were not subject to unethical research practices in accordance with paragraph (1).
From: The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Earlier statements on delivery (0)
●Cabinet Office · 14 Apr 2026
This means people will not have to prove they were part of a specific medical trial, but instead the award will be available to all patients treated for a bleeding disorder before 1986.
From: Government response to consultation on proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme
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