Infected blood scandal victims ‘could receive more than £2m compensation’

Published

1 year ago

May 22, 2024

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People infected with deadly viruses due to the tainted blood scandal could receive more than £2m in compensation, according to government documents.

“Illustrative figures” have been published on the Infected Blood Compensation Authority section of the government website, which show “the compensation award that an infected person living with a single infection or co-infection may expect to receive”.

The documents say that people living with HIV as a result of the scandal could receive between £2.2m and £2.6m.

Payments for those with hepatitis vary from £35,500 for an “acute” infection up to £1,557,000 for the most severe illnesses caused by the virus, according to the figures.

People with both viruses could be paid up to £2.7m, according to the tables.

More than 30,000 people were infected with deadly viruses between the 1970s and early 1990s through blood transfusions or blood products while receiving NHS care.

The report from the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on Monday, found the scandal, which has so far claimed the lives of around 3,000 people, “could largely have been avoided” and there was a “pervasive” cover-up to hide the truth.

The illustrative figures were published as the government set out more details of the compensation scheme, although they are not the final numbers.

Cabinet Office minister John Glen said he recognised that “time is of the essence” as he confirmed that the first full compensation payments to victims will be made before the end of the year.

In the meantime, some victims will receive a £210,000 interim payment before the end of the summer, he said.

Mr Glen also announced that family members of those infected would also be eligible for compensation.

The illustrative figures also show how much family members may expect to receive.

They suggest the partner of someone infected with HIV who is still alive today could receive around £110,000, while a child could get £55,000, and siblings could receive £30,000.

He told MPs: “Those who have been infected or affected as a result of this scandal will receive compensation.

“When a person with an eligible infection has been accepted on to the scheme, their affected loved ones will be able to apply for compensation in their own right.

“That means partners, parents, siblings, children, friends and family who have acted as carers of those who are infected are all eligible to claim.

“Our expectation is that final payments will start before the end of the year.”

He confirmed that anyone already registered with one of the existing support schemes will automatically be considered eligible for compensation.

Mr Glen said there will be five categories under which compensation will be awarded – injury, social impact, autonomy, care and financial loss – and multiple awards will be provided where applicable.

The illustrative tables calculate the possible payouts based “across all categories of award”.

Jason Evans, director of the Factor 8 campaign group, called for more clarity on the scheme, adding: “Taken together, the government’s announcement today creates fresh disparity. Some estates may have received £310,000 in total interim payments by the summer, while most may have received nothing.”

Richard Angell, chief executive at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “The priority now must be ensuring that everyone who is entitled to compensation gets it and gets it quick.”

Politics

Roman Storm asks DeFi devs: Can you be sure DOJ won’t charge you?

Published

23 mins ago

October 18, 2025

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<div>Roman Storm asks DeFi devs: Can you be sure DOJ won't charge you?</div>

Current laws in the United States do not explicitly protect open source software developers and create the risk of retroactive prosecution.

Politics

Stablecoins are really ‘central business digital currencies’ — VC

Published

3 hours ago

October 18, 2025

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<div>Stablecoins are really 'central business digital currencies' — VC</div>

Jeremy Kranz, founder of Sentinel Global, a venture capital firm, said investors should be “discerning” and read the fine print on any stablecoin.

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Labour deputy leadership candidate accuses opponent’s team of ‘throwing mud’ and briefing against her

Published

9 hours ago

October 18, 2025

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Labour deputy leadership candidate accuses opponent's team of 'throwing mud' and briefing against her

Lucy Powell has accused Bridget Phillipson’s team of “throwing mud” and briefing against her in the Labour deputy leadership race in a special episode of Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast.

With just days to go until the race is decided, Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby spoke to the two leadership rivals about allegations of leaks, questions of party unity and their political vision.

Ms Powell told Electoral Dysfunction that through the course of the contest, she had “never leaked or briefed”.

But she said of negative stories about her in the media: “I think some of these things have also come from my opponent’s team as well. And I think they need calling out.

“We are two strong women standing in this contest. We’ve both got different things to bring to the job. I’m not going to get into the business of smearing and briefing against Bridget.

“Having us airing our dirty washing, throwing mud – both in this campaign or indeed after this if I get elected as deputy leader – that is not the game that I’m in.”

Ms Powell was responding to a “Labour source” who told the New Statesman last week: “Lucy was sacked from cabinet because she couldn’t be trusted not to brief or leak.”

Ms Powell said she had spoken directly to Ms Phillipson about allegations of briefings “a little bit”.

Phillipson denies leaks

But asked separately if her team had briefed against Ms Powell, Ms Phillipson told Rigby: “Not to my knowledge.”

And Ms Phillipson said she had not spoken “directly” to her opponent about the claims of negative briefings, despite Ms Powell saying the pair had talked about it.

“I don’t know if there’s been any discussion between the teams,” she added.

On the race itself, the education secretary said it would be “destabilising” if Ms Powell is elected, as she is no longer in the cabinet.

“I think there is a risk that comes of airing too much disagreement in public at a time when we need to focus on taking the fight to our opponents.

“I know Lucy would reject that, but I think that is for me a key choice that members are facing.”

She added: “It’s about the principle of having that rule outside of government that risks being the problem. I think I’ll be able to get more done in government.”

👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈

Insider vs outsider

But Ms Powell, who was recently sacked by Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Commons, said she could “provide a stronger, more independent voice”.

“The party is withering on the vine at the same time, and people have got big jobs in government to do.

“Politics is moving really, really fast. Government is very, very slow. And I think having a full-time political deputy leader right now is the political injection we need.”

The result of the contest will be announced on Saturday 25 October.

The deputy leader has the potential to be a powerful and influential figure as the link between members and the parliamentary Labour Party, and will have a key role in election campaigns. They can’t be sacked by Sir Keir as they have their own mandate.

The contest was triggered by the resignation of Angela Rayner following a row over her tax affairs. She was also the deputy prime minister but this position was filled by David Lammy in a wider cabinet reshuffle.