Thousands of victims of the infected blood scandal feel ‘distressed and powerless’ over delays in receiving compensation, according to the judge who led the inquiry.
Nearly a year has passed since the government promised compensation, but still no money has been paid.
Sir Brian Langstaff warned the victims cannot be ‘denied or ignored’, as he announced he will write a report into the government’s inaction in making recompense to the victims.
More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV, hepatitis C and B after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s.
Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications, in one of the UK’s worst health scandals.
Relatives of those who died, such as children who lost parents or siblings, are now also entitled to compensation, which could mean more than 100,000 people are eligible.
But survivors’ frustration is mounting and dozens of victims have released new statements specifically condemning delays in receiving compensation from the government.
Sir Brian said: ‘The distress and feelings of powerlessness expressed in many of these statements can neither be denied nor ignored.
More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV, hepatitis C and B after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. Pictured: Families affected by the scandal gathered after the release of the inquiry’s findings in May last year
Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications, in one of the UK’s worst health scandals. Pictured: A man holds a handwritten card while gathered with other affected families after the release of the inquiry findings in May last year
Sir Brian Langstaff (pictured) warned the victims cannot be ‘denied or ignored’, as he announced he will write a report into the government’s inaction in making recompense to the victims
‘Our goal at the Inquiry is to identify whether there are practical measures that could be taken or changes made to address the concerns that have been brought to us.
‘Our intention is for this to be a constructive process, and we are anxious not to contribute to further delay in individuals receiving compensation..’
The Infected Blood Inquiry, which ran for six years, published its final report on the scandal in May last year, and a compensation scheme was announced a day later.
During her budget in October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised £11.8 billion to compensate victims, which was to be administered by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).
But according to victims they are being ‘silenced’ in order to avoid ’embarrassing’ the government over the delays in compensation from the IBCA.
In one anonymous statement, a witness said: ‘I fear that the same institutional defensiveness and groupthink that caused the original scandal’s cover-up are now hindering the scheme.’
Another anonymous witness said: ‘Anxiety levels are rocketing to levels people have not experienced before, people are crying, unable to function, unable to eat, feel sick, feelings of loss, trauma and being retraumatised.’
They added: ‘Physical wellbeing is low, people are at a low ebb, feeling that all the hard work they have done campaigning has been for nothing.’
Relatives of those who died, such as children who lost parents or siblings, are now also entitled to compensation, which could mean more than 100,000 people are eligible. Pictured: Families hold a banner showing images of deceased relatives as the inquiry findings were published in May last year
But survivors’ frustration is mounting and dozens of victims have released new statements specifically condemning delays in receiving compensation from the government. Pictured: Affected families console each other after the release of the inquiry findings last year
The Infected Blood Inquiry, which ran for six years, published its final report on the scandal in May last year, and a compensation scheme was announced a day later. Pictured: A man shouting about the inquiry result on the day of its release
During her budget in October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised £11.8 billion to compensate victims, which was to be administered by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA). Pictured: A digital screen displayed when the inquiry findings were published last year
But according to victims they are being ‘silenced’ in order to avoid ’embarrassing’ the government over the delays in compensation from the IBCA. Pictured: Affected families gathered for the release of the inquiry findings last year
Sir Brian (pictured with affected families in May last year) said: ‘The distress and feelings of powerlessness expressed in many of these statements can neither be denied nor ignored’
Des Collins, whose firm Collins Solicitors advised thousands of people affected, said the scheme is not yet able to cope with ‘anywhere near’ the volume of applications it should be processing.
‘We agree that there is an urgent need to bring some transparency to the implementation of the compensation scheme which has, to date, been a very opaque process,’ Mr Collins said.
‘As far as our clients are concerned there has been no meaningful participation in the development of the scheme.’
He added: ‘Many of our clients and others in the community are once more fed up with the patronising approach being adopted and have reached out to Sir Brian accordingly.’
The inquiry will publish further statements next month, when it will also decide if additional hearings will be held, the timeframe for providing written submissions, and the publication of its further report.
Last month, a lawyer representing families and victims of the scandal claimed only about 0.2 per cent of potential claimants have been invited to seek payouts.
A Government spokesperson said: ‘The victims of this scandal have suffered unspeakably.
‘We remain fully committed to co-operating with the inquiry and acting on its recommendations and are grateful for its comprehensive work to date.
‘So far we have set aside £11.8 billion to compensate victims of infected blood, made compensation offers of over £48 million and paid £1 billion in interim payments.’
