Policy paper

Joint Communique on the Infected Blood Inquiry (HTML)

Published 13 June 2023

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

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Minister for the Cabinet Office meeting with Devolved Administration counterparts

12 June 2023

  • Officials have been working together for some time to understand the implications of Sir Robert and Sir Brian’s work on a compensation scheme for the victims of this dreadful tragedy.
  • This was the first occasion UK, Scottish and Welsh Ministers and the NI Department of Health Permanent Secretary have met to discuss Sir Brian’s report.  It has been a helpful meeting and there was a common determination to provide appropriate redress for victims.
  • The UK Government’s position that there is a moral case for compensation to be paid was welcomed and Ministers and the NI Permanent Secretary look forward to working together in considering the recommendations in the Infected Blood Inquiry’s second interim report, including in respect of how it would be paid out to individuals in different parts of the UK to enable a response as soon as possible after the Inquiry concludes.  It was noted that this does not preclude earlier announcements as work progresses.
  • It was agreed that a further meeting would take place in the coming weeks in order to take stock of progress on work to consider the recommendations in Sir Brian’s second interim report.
  • Meanwhile, the Infected Blood Support Schemes continue to provide financial support, including lump sums on registration, annual and discretionary payments.  All beneficiaries on the schemes - both infected individuals and bereaved partners - received an interim payment of £100,000, following the UK Government’s acceptance of the Inquiry’s recommendation in its first interim report, published in July 2022.
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