Nearly 70 recommendations by barrister and assessor for inquiry accepted
Lawyers representing those impacted by the infected blood scandal reacted positively to the U.K. government’s recent announcement that it intended to extend and increase compensation.
The Cabinet Office confirmed that higher awards would be available to specific individuals and additional financial support would be provided to those with related health conditions, said an article by the Law Society Gazette, the publication of the Law Society of England and Wales.
The government was also planning to increase a social impact award for individuals who resided with an infected person in the same household for over two years, reported the Gazette.
Last May, the Infected Blood Inquiry revealed that around 30,000 individuals had endured decades of severe injustice, the article said. The U.K. government accepted all except five of the 74 recommendations made by Robert Francis, a barrister and the independent assessor appointed to explore potential relief options, the article added.
The newly enacted Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 set the legal framework for creating the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, which will be responsible for compensating victims, both alive and deceased, with compensation payments set to begin by the end of 2024, according to the article.
In the lead-up to this announcement, the previous government issued interim payments of £100,000 in October 2022 and interim payments of £210,000 last June to those living with an infection and registered with the Infected Blood Support Scheme, the article noted.
The Cabinet Office acknowledged the long wait that those affected by the scandal have endured for compensation and emphasized their commitment to moving forward swiftly, the article said.
“We are progressing our work on compensation as quickly as possible, while balancing the need to ensure the necessary processes are in place,” said a spokesperson. “While no amount of compensation can make up for the suffering experienced by so many, we hope this update will bring reassurance and support to the community.”
Des Collins, senior partner at Collins Solicitors, expressed approval that progress has continued despite changes in government. He noted that the extended compensation scheme should be operational by October.
Collins also emphasized the importance of ensuring that victims receive independent legal advice to navigate the compensation process amid barriers to access and the complexities often associated with government compensation schemes.
