Infected Blood Compensation Body
In the 1970s and 1980s, blood and blood clotting products mainly sourced from the USA and supplied by the NHS were contaminated with HIV and Hepatitis (B and C). Many patients were infected via blood transfusions using contaminated blood; with most incidents of infection occurring with Haemophilia sufferers and those with other bleeding disorders.
	The Infected Blood Inquiry was announced in September 2017 by the then Prime Minister, Theresa May, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff KC. It was set up to examine the circumstances that led to individuals being given contaminated blood and blood products in the UK, as well as the aftermath. It has been taking evidence since 2018 and its final report was published on 20 May 2024.
	Sir Robert Francis KC was commissioned in 2021 by the Government to provide independent advice on a framework for compensation, separate to the Infected Blood Inquiry. In March 2022, Sir Robert Francis produced a Compensation Framework Study which provided 19 detailed recommendations. There have been two interim reports from the Inquiry. The first published in July 2022 and the second published in April 2023, which built on the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis’ study.
	The Government accepted the moral case for compensation and accepted in full the Inquiry’s first interim report recommendation to pay infected people or bereaved partner beneficiaries of existing Infected Blood Support Schemes (IBSS) across the UK (and those who join in the future) an interim payment of £100,000. By the end of October 2022, this interim payment had been provided to existing members. New applicants remain entitled to register with IBSS to receive annual support payments, until those are superseded by a final compensation payment.
	In response to the second interim report containing the Inquiry’s recommendation on compensation, the Government appointed an Expert Group of legal and clinical experts in January 2024 to advise on a compensation framework, pending delivery of the final Inquiry report.
	On 30 April 2024, the Government made amendments to Part 3 of the Victims and Prisoners Act to establish the necessary legal framework for delivery of a compensation scheme, including a new delivery body to operate on a UK wide basis. The amendments followed Commons Report Stage, where Parliament voted in Part 3 with the intention of creating a statutory duty to establish a compensation scheme for victims (both infected and affected), as referenced by the Inquiry’s second Interim Report.