Victims of infected blood scandal to be compensated this year

More than 3,000 people died because they became infected with diseases including HIV and Hepatitis C as a result of transfusions with infected blood in the 1970s and 1990s.

The government, under Rishi Sunak, had commissioned the chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), Sir Robert Francis, to consult victims on the particulars of the compensation scheme.

Sir Robert recommended more than 70 changes to the proposals, most of which Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said will be accepted.

People who were infected because of “unethical research” will receive an additional £10,000. Those involved in trials when they were children at Treloar’s College will receive an extra £15,000.

Regulations are to be laid by August 24 to enable the new scheme.

Paymaster general, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, said: “We are going to do everything possible to deliver compensation quickly, and in many cases deliver life-changing sums to people infected and affected by this scandal.

“We know no amount of compensation can fully address the damage to people who suffered as a result of this scandal. This is why alongside the compensation, we must drive forward the wider cultural changes to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”

Kate Burt, the chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, said: “We welcome the fact that the government have said the support schemes will continue for life, because people were worried about security – not only for the infected but for the bereaved as well.”