(1 week, 1 day ago)
Commons Chamber Patrick Hurley (Southport) (Lab)
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Patrick Hurley (Southport) (Lab) 
        
    
        
    
         The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Nick Thomas-Symonds)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Nick Thomas-Symonds) 
        
    
        
    
        My hon. Friend is a powerful advocate for infected blood victims, and he can rest assured that I will continue to drive progress as quickly as I possibly can. That is how we have got to the stage where over £1.8 billion-worth of offers have been made, and I will continue to drive that progress quickly.
(1 year ago)
Commons Chamber Nick Thomas-Symonds
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Nick Thomas-Symonds 
        
    
        
    
        I invite all right hon. and hon. Members to go on the gov.uk website, which gives the details for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority. I urge people with an interest to register with the authority, which is already sending out newsletters. However, right hon. and hon. Members are also very welcome to write to me at the Cabinet Office about specific cases. I will of course look into those cases and ensure there is a response.
 Patrick Hurley
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Patrick Hurley 
        
    
        
    
        I welcome the urgency with which this Government have moved this important issue forward, especially now that we know there is a timescale for applications being opened. Will the Minister update the House on when victims can expect to receive their final compensation payments?
 Nick Thomas-Symonds
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Nick Thomas-Symonds 
        
    
        
    
        As I have indicated to the House, I expect the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to make its first payments before the end of the year, and to start payments to the affected next year. The Government are moving as quickly as they can to ensure that people receive the compensation that, frankly, is long overdue.