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The UK government has once again promised to deliver justice to the victims of the infected blood scandal — this time by contacting everyone affected and arranging compensation payouts by the end of the year.
But those affected aren’t celebrating.
After decades of betrayal, delays, and deflection, the infected and bereaved families are deeply sceptical — and with good reason.
In a statement to the House of Commons on July 21, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said that the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has now contacted more than 2,200 people to begin their claims and paid out £411 million to just 587 individuals so far.
That leaves thousands still waiting, with some victims and family members still not even invited to apply.
The minister promised that all infected registrants will be contacted and that the scheme will open to bereaved and affected family members by the end of 2025.
He said:
“I still expect IBCA to contact all registered infected people to begin a claim before the end of the year, and indeed to open the service to affected people by the end of the year.”
That’s the promise. But those affected aren’t buying it — not yet.
More promises, more delays
In the same statement, Thomas-Symonds confirmed that several long-standing demands from victims would finally be met:
-
The 1982 cut-off date for HIV infections has been scrapped, meaning earlier cases are now eligible.
-
New £210,000 interim payments will go to the estates of those who’ve died since 2022.
-
Support payments for bereaved partners will continue until compensation is received.
-
The government will consult on awards for unethical medical research, psychological trauma, and those affected by Interferon treatment.
But there’s a catch: a second set of compensation regulations — covering many of these issues — won’t be introduced until 2026.
That delay, and the reliance on drawn-out “consultations,” has been met with frustration and cynicism by campaigners.
“People are dying while waiting”
MPs from all parties — including Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the DUP and the SNP — raised the alarm in Parliament: people are dying while still waiting for compensation, and every delay risks leaving more victims without justice.
“One of my constituents, now in her 80s, cared for her husband who was a victim of unethical research. Her son fears she will die before receiving recognition or redress.”
— Tracy Gilbert MP
Others echoed the sentiment: after 40+ years of lies, cover-ups, and cruelty, few believe the government’s timelines anymore.
Same scandal, different storylines
This isn’t the first time the government has promised to speed things up.
Back in April 2023, inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff recommended immediate implementation of a full compensation scheme.
Over a year later, only a tiny proportion of eligible people have been paid.
Langstaff’s follow-up report, released on July 9, was damning: victims had been “harmed further” by the way the scheme had been designed and managed — and he described the process as secretive, slow, and riddled with “obvious injustices.”
He called for victims to be allowed to apply immediately, for seriously ill or elderly claimants to be prioritised, and for true transparency and involvement from those affected.
While ministers say they now accept many of those recommendations, campaigners remain wary. As Labour MP Ian Lavery put it:
“Will victims be warmly welcoming this statement? Or will they be apprehensive, frustrated and disappointed — again?”
A familiar pattern: Post Office, Hillsborough, Blood
This scandal, like the Post Office Horizon scandal, Hillsborough, and Grenfell, shows a common thread: the state failing its people, then dragging its heels when redress is finally due.
In Parliament, several MPs called once again for a Hillsborough Law — a legal duty of candour for public officials — to prevent future cover-ups and delays.
But like the compensation itself, that promise has yet to be fulfilled.
Where’s the justice?
So far, just 587 people have accepted compensation — from a pool of up to 30,000 infected and over 140,000 affected individuals.
Each week that passes, more victims die without justice.
This government now says it is listening.
But victims and families have heard it all before.
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Infected blood: government promises action – but victims have heard it all before
Share this post:
The UK government has once again promised to deliver justice to the victims of the infected blood scandal — this time by contacting everyone affected and arranging compensation payouts by the end of the year.
But those affected aren’t celebrating.
After decades of betrayal, delays, and deflection, the infected and bereaved families are deeply sceptical — and with good reason.
In a statement to the House of Commons on July 21, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said that the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has now contacted more than 2,200 people to begin their claims and paid out £411 million to just 587 individuals so far.
That leaves thousands still waiting, with some victims and family members still not even invited to apply.
The minister promised that all infected registrants will be contacted and that the scheme will open to bereaved and affected family members by the end of 2025.
He said:
That’s the promise. But those affected aren’t buying it — not yet.
More promises, more delays
In the same statement, Thomas-Symonds confirmed that several long-standing demands from victims would finally be met:
The 1982 cut-off date for HIV infections has been scrapped, meaning earlier cases are now eligible.
New £210,000 interim payments will go to the estates of those who’ve died since 2022.
Support payments for bereaved partners will continue until compensation is received.
The government will consult on awards for unethical medical research, psychological trauma, and those affected by Interferon treatment.
But there’s a catch: a second set of compensation regulations — covering many of these issues — won’t be introduced until 2026.
That delay, and the reliance on drawn-out “consultations,” has been met with frustration and cynicism by campaigners.
“People are dying while waiting”
MPs from all parties — including Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the DUP and the SNP — raised the alarm in Parliament: people are dying while still waiting for compensation, and every delay risks leaving more victims without justice.
— Tracy Gilbert MP
Others echoed the sentiment: after 40+ years of lies, cover-ups, and cruelty, few believe the government’s timelines anymore.
Same scandal, different storylines
This isn’t the first time the government has promised to speed things up.
Back in April 2023, inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff recommended immediate implementation of a full compensation scheme.
Over a year later, only a tiny proportion of eligible people have been paid.
Langstaff’s follow-up report, released on July 9, was damning: victims had been “harmed further” by the way the scheme had been designed and managed — and he described the process as secretive, slow, and riddled with “obvious injustices.”
He called for victims to be allowed to apply immediately, for seriously ill or elderly claimants to be prioritised, and for true transparency and involvement from those affected.
While ministers say they now accept many of those recommendations, campaigners remain wary. As Labour MP Ian Lavery put it:
A familiar pattern: Post Office, Hillsborough, Blood
This scandal, like the Post Office Horizon scandal, Hillsborough, and Grenfell, shows a common thread: the state failing its people, then dragging its heels when redress is finally due.
In Parliament, several MPs called once again for a Hillsborough Law — a legal duty of candour for public officials — to prevent future cover-ups and delays.
But like the compensation itself, that promise has yet to be fulfilled.
Where’s the justice?
So far, just 587 people have accepted compensation — from a pool of up to 30,000 infected and over 140,000 affected individuals.
Each week that passes, more victims die without justice.
This government now says it is listening.
But victims and families have heard it all before.
Share this post:
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