Protest planned as Rishi Sunak will give evidence at Infected Blood Inquiry
Campaigners will call on the Prime Minister to pay full compensation to those infected and affected by contaminated blood and blood products.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Protesters will lobby Rishi Sunak to authorise full compensation payments when he gives evidence at the Infected Blood Inquiry on Wednesday.
Campaigners will call on the Prime Minister to pay full compensation to those infected and affected by contaminated blood and blood products, as recommended by Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the inquiry, in April.
Mr Sunak has previously said the Government will wait for the full report into the infected blood scandal before considering whether to extend the compensation scheme for victims.
Clive Smith, chairman of the Haemophilia Society, said the Government’s failure to act quickly on the compensation has “only compounded the suffering of those who have been waiting for this for so long”.
He added that Sir Brian had accepted in April that it would require “significant political will” to pay full compensation and that is what campaigners want to see.
“People who have waited 40 years expect to see a significant demonstration of political will and a commitment to get this done as soon as is practical,” he added.
Mr Smith said that if the compensation was widened “many would be able to see the finishing line was in sight”.
He said: “25 years ago the Haemophilia Society presented a letter to Tony Blair, yet here we are still arguing and campaigning for the same thing.
“To finally see the finishing line in sight would give a lot of people some sort of resolution and peace which they’ve been campaigning for and fighting for for decades.”
The Infected Blood Inquiry was established in 2017 to examine how thousands of patients in the UK developed HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products given in the 1970s and 1980s.
About 2,900 people died in what has been labelled the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.
Many had the blood-clotting disorder haemophilia and were given injections of the US product Factor VIII.
Sir Brian has said an interim compensation scheme should be widened so more people – including orphaned children and parents who lost children – could be compensated.
He said in April he was taking the unusual step of making the recommendation ahead of the publication of the full report into the scandal so that victims would not face any more delays.
Under the initial scheme, only victims themselves or bereaved partners can receive an interim payment of around £100,000.
The inquiry has recommended the Government establish an arm’s-length compensation body now, and definitely before the final report is made in the autumn.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.