Independent report

Press Notice - Sir Robert Francis publishes his recommendations to government

Published 16 August 2024

Following engagement with those impacted by the infected blood scandal, recommendations have been published for how the compensation scheme could work in practice.

After the UK Government announced proposals for the scheme in May, Sir Robert Francis KC – interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority which will administer the scheme – undertook a series of engagements with the infected blood community and those who represent them.

This was a vital step in ensuring their voices were heard, so the scheme is simple, secure and easy to access, while making sure people receive compensation as soon as possible.

With 74 recommendations in total, these include:

• a greater degree of transparency
• existing support payments to continue until they can be merged into a compensation scheme
• past support payments before 1 April 2025 should be ignored altogether in calculating compensation
• a choice of compensation in a lump sum or regular payments, with signposting to independent financial advice
• severity bands to be explained in more detail in the Government’s response
• recognising the social as well as physical impact of infected blood 
• more detail to be given on how care costs are assessed and calculated
• recognising the impact of unethical research (referred to as autonomy in the report)
• a clearer explanation of how awards for estates would be assessed
• funding to be provided for legal support
• reassurance that payments should be tax free.

The report’s author, Sir Robert Francis KC, said:

My report owes much to the feedback, so generously provided, by groups representing those who have lived with infections and the effects of contaminated blood and blood products, and those who took the trouble to write to us. Their voices have informed my recommendations, as was the case with my framework report over two years ago. 

Short though the time was for me to prepare this report, I believe that my discussions with representative groups and the written submissions we have received have provided a fair picture of what changes to the proposals the community, as a whole, believe would provide them with greater reassurance. 

Creating an organisation capable of delivering this will of course be complicated, and getting it right for the infected blood community will be just as important as speed. But we are only too aware that all those who are entitled to compensation have already waited too long; far too long. 

I and everyone in the Infected Blood Compensation Authority are committed to keeping the community updated regularly on how that work is progressing.

The Government has also published its response to these recommendations today, and regulations for the infected blood compensation scheme will be laid in Parliament by the end of August. IBCA will now consider the Government’s response, and engage the community on next steps.

The report and its recommendations can be viewed in full at Recommendations to the government from Sir Robert Francis KC,alongside a video and written statement from Sir Robert Francis KC and a press notice.

Notes to Editors

• The Infected Blood Compensation Authority will ensure payment is made in recognition of the wrongs experienced by those who have been infected by HIV, Hepatitis B or C, as well as those who love and care for them.
• In May 2024, Parliament passed the legislation to bring the Authority into legal existence under the Victims and Prisoners Act. Sir Robert Francis KC published his Statement of Intent in May 2024, and has since been discussing the Government’s proposals with the infected blood community, considering how the compensation scheme could work in practice.
• The scheme will be UK wide, open to both eligible infected and affected persons and operated by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), an independent arm’s length body.

To contact IBCA media team please email ibca_media@cabinetoffice.gov.uk