Infected Blood Victims Demand Justice Now

Infected blood scandal victims are pressing the Prime Minister to "resolve injustices" within the compensation scheme, demanding swifter action on payments. A dossier detailing concerns, including "unreasonably high standards of evidence," will be delivered to Downing Street.

This plea follows the conclusion of the Infected Blood Inquiry, which investigated the disaster where over 30,000 people contracted HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. The scandal has resulted in over 3,000 deaths, with survivors facing lifelong health issues.

A compensation scheme, allocated £11.8 billion, began in 2024. As of August 27, 3,512 individuals have received over £2.2 billion. However, campaigners state only 17% of victims have been compensated, citing difficulties in meeting evidence requirements and concerns over payout disparities.

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority acknowledges that accessing old records can be challenging, assuring that they operate on a balance of probabilities and use a trauma-informed approach. As of August 25, 6,321 claims were initiated. A government spokesperson affirmed commitment to supporting victims and learning from engagement with the community.