Written questions by Gilbert.

Whether the estates of deceased individuals will be eligible to claim for the Unethical Research Awards proposed under the Infected Blood Compensation Regulations.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the estates of deceased individuals will be eligible to claim for the Unethical Research Awards proposed under the Infected Blood Compensation Regulations.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What provision his department has put in place to undertake a human rights impact assessment of the infected blood compensation process.

The Cabinet Office has carried out analysis under the Public Sector Equality Duty for all regulations made to establish the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. The most recent analysis was published in October and can be viewed here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348276077/pdfs/ukdsipes_9780348276077_en_001.pdf

Whether his Department has considered establishing an appeals process for any applicant who is refused a Special Categorisation Mechanism payment as part of their overall compensation offer from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

Anyone is able to appeal against a decision made by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) about any aspect of their infected blood compensation scheme application. Information on how this can be done can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appeal-an-infected-blood-compensation-decision

What estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of the (a) establishment and (b) ongoing administration of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

The Cabinet Office will lay IBCA's annual reports and accounts before Parliament in the usual way. The Cabinet Office will expect to be consulted by IBCA where there is a risk that IBCA will breach its administrative cost controls, or vary significantly from the agreed business plan.

What steps he is planning to take to (a) consult further with the infected blood community and (b) involve that community in the development of the Government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry.

This Government is committed to engaging openly and transparently, and taking on board feedback from the infected blood community. The Cabinet Office regularly engages with over 30 key representatives and organisations in the community. I have met with a number of these representatives several times and will continue to do so. The Government will consider the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Additional Report carefully, and respond in due course.

Whether the funding allocated to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority is drawn from the £11.8 billion set aside by the Government for infected blood compensation or provided from a separate budget.

In the Autumn Budget, the Government announced £11.8 billion in compensation to people who were infected and affected as a result of the Infected Blood scandal.This is separate to the funding allocated to the administrative costs of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

If he will publish the equality impact assessments undertaken in relation to the development of regulations on infected blood compensation.

The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025 Equalities Impact Assessment can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348268843/pdfs/ukdsipes_9780348268843_en_001.pdf.

Whether his Department has undertaken preparatory work on a potential youth mobility scheme with the EU.

We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be time-limited and capped, and we have also been clear that it should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes with countries like Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters will be subject to negotiation.

What plans she has for the reporting to Parliament of the work of the Council of Nations and Regions.

The inaugural Council of the Nations and Regions met on 11 October in Edinburgh to discuss growth and investment.The UK Government will be publishing the Terms of Reference for the Council and a communique summarising the discussion shortly.A communique will be published following each meeting of the Council.