Thousands of victims of the infected blood scandal will each receive a taxpayer-funded interim compensation payment of £100,000
Thousands of victims of the infected blood scandal will each receive an interim compensation payment of £100,000, the Government has announced today (17 August).
The Government intends to make taxpayer-funded payments to those who have been infected and bereaved partners in England by the end of October. The same payments will be made in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The commitment to pay interim compensation meets, in full, the recommendations set out by inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff in his interim report last month. That report built on the study by Sir Robert Francis QC in his detailed consideration of the issues. Details were announced by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse today.
The intention is that the taxpayer-funded payments will be tax-free and will not affect any financial benefits support an individual is receiving. Infected individuals and bereaved partners who are registered with any of the four UK-infected blood support schemes will receive payment. Advice to those people on how exactly the interim payment will be made will be outlined to them shortly.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse said:
Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:
In England, the intention is to make payments by the end of October.
The Government has updated Sir Brian Langstaff that his recommendations have been accepted.
ENDS
Notes to Editors