Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Written Ministerial Statement on Infected Blood Update, published 25 March 2021, if he will detail the process that was used by the different nations of the UK infected blood support schemes to calculate parity payments.

Discussions were held between officials from across the United Kingdom to understand the current non-discretionary support offered by the four support schemes and the changes that would be required to bring greater parity of support for those infected and affected by the contaminated blood tragedy. During discussions the principle of uplifting beneficiaries to the most generous support provided across the four schemes where possible was applied, resulting in the changes announced on 25 March 2021.

The support schemes are devolved and each scheme has its own appeals process, except for Northern Ireland, who use the English appeals panel. These processes are stated on their respective websites, which are publicly available. Northern Ireland has a bespoke process and the details are available directly from the Scheme manager.