We have previously published a letter we sent on 8th July to the Rt. Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, the new Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office. He now has oversight of matters relating to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Our letter called for a pause in proceeding with secondary legislation to give effect to the infected blood compensation scheme. This would give the new government time to consider the infected blood community’s serious concerns over the shortcomings of the proposals published by the previous government.
Unfortunately the new Minister has indicated his intention to Parliament to proceed with laying legislation before 24th August. He has, however said that he will consider the report produced by Sir Robert Francis KC on the limited engagement with campaign groups which Sir Robert led during the election period. The Minister has also said that he will publish Sir Robert’s report before laying legislation. Whether that will give us chance to suggest any changes to what is then proposed seems unlikely. It is a matter of regret to Haemophilia Scotland that the clear message from Sir Brian Langstaff about involving and engaging with the infected blood community has had little impact so far.
On the day of his statement to the Commons (Friday, 26th July) the Minister replied to our letter. A full copy of that response is available here. Most of the letter is a reiteration of what has been said before. He says that he recognises the concern and anxiety around finalisation of the compensation scheme and that this is a priority for him. He confirms that the £100,000 payments to the estates of deceased infected persons who were registered with a support scheme before 17th April 2024 and where previous interim payments have not been made will be progressed. Applications will open for these payments in October. At the end of July, that is still three months away. There is no mention of any other concerns which we had brought to his attention. This is disappointing and leaves the majority of victims once again in a state of limbo until we see what changes, if any, will come out of Sir Robert’s report and whether they are accepted by government.
In closing his letter he talks about working with members of the community over the coming months. There is no detail over how or when this will occur or with whom. We will seek clarification from the Minister and the IBCA on this.
We would encourage members to continue to lobby their MP to make them aware of the issues we have raised, so that they may be fully informed when next this matter is brought before Parliament.