Written questions by Collinge.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of adjusting lump-sum compensation payments under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme to reflect inflation where payments are delayed for several years.

Individuals applying for compensation from IBCA have the choice between receiving their award as a single lump sum payment, or as a series of periodical payments over a 5, 10, or 25 year period. The compensation scheme indexes all future periodical payments to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure that these payments hold value against inflation and provide parity between applicants that choose a lump sum or periodical payments. The Government has consulted on proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme, to gather views on how the Government intends to implement the Inquiry’s recommendations. The consultation closed on 22 January. The Government is considering the responses to the consultation carefully, and we will publish our response to the consultation, which will set out our final decisions on the compensation scheme, within 12 weeks of the closing date. The delivery of compensation is a matter for IBCA, and as of 10 February, 3,153 people have received an offer of compensation, totalling over £2.5 billion. IBCA has now opened its service to the people who are infected but not registered with an IBSS, as well as to the first claims from affected people and from estates on behalf of deceased infected people.

When the Infected Blood Compensation Authority plans to begin making compensation payments to affected individuals under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

In December 2024, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) began making payments to people who are infected and as of 24 April, over £78 million has been paid in compensation. In March Parliament approved Regulations to give the IBCA the power to make payments to people who are affected as a result of the Infected Blood Scandal. The Government expects IBCA to begin making payments to people who are affected before the end of this year.

Whether the Infected Blood Compensation Authority plans to provide (a) support and (b) resources to people disputing the distribution of compensation paid to the estates of those who died intestate.

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority’s priority is to deliver compensation to those who are legally entitled to it under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025, which includes infected people, affected people and estates of those infected people who have very sadly died. IBCA provides legal and financial advice to those who are eligible for compensation under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. IBCA does not, however, currently fund legal advice to those who are distributing a person’s estate following the receipt of a compensation payment.