Earlier this week, John Glen MP, the recently appointed Paymaster General, responded on behalf of the Prime Minister to the letter sent by the Chairs of Haemophilia Scotland, the Haemophilia Society, and Haemophilia NI.
Our letter of the 13th October urged the Prime Minister and his government to reconsider their stance on waiting for the Inquiry’s final report before responding, and to instead take immediate action on compensation. The Inquiry’s second interim report, which was published in April 2023, recommended that a full compensation scheme should be set up and be in place before the end of this year.
The letter from the newly appointed Paymaster General echoed similar statements made by his predecessor, reiterating the Government’s position that they would respond as quickly as possible following the publication of the final report. Mr Glen also stated that he believed “it is only reasonable that the Government’s response is fully informed by Sir Brian’s final report.” This contrasts with the fact that Sir Brian Langstaff, the Chair of the Inquiry, published the second interim report specifically to offer detailed recommendations for a full compensation scheme, in order to prevent any further delays to justice.
The previous Paymaster General had also planned to meet with campaign groups in the coming weeks to provide an update on progress made. However, as of this date we have yet to receive a similar invitation from Mr Glen.
Mr Glen’s letter can be read in full here.
Haemophilia Scotland continues to work alongside the other UK haemophilia societies and affiliated organisations demanding that the Government re-considers their position and recognises the debilitating harm these delays are causing to those affected.