Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what analysis supported their decision to not to award enhanced core injury awards to bereaved parents whose infected child died over the age of 18, in their response to the consultation on changes to the infected blood compensation scheme, published on 14 April.

As part of the public consultation on proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme, the Government sought views on whether, and how, an expanded supplementary route for affected people could be constructed whilst continuing to allow for timely delivery of compensation within a tariff-based scheme.

It was clear from the consultation that respondents felt some specific groups had suffered significant harms and losses, and deserved more compensation in recognition of this. Many suggested parents who sadly lost their child to infected blood where the child was under 18. Respondents thought the emotional toll of providing care and supporting their child through a traumatic period should be specifically recognised, in addition to the financial losses they may have faced as a result of missing work to provide care, or when they were prevented from working due to grief.

The new 50% uplift to the core Injury award for parents of children that passed away under 18 is therefore intended to recognise the very specific, additional trauma associated with the loss of a child during their formative years. By using a clear age-based threshold the Government can provide this extra compensation, honouring the clear preference expressed in the consultation for an award that avoids intrusive individual assessments or the requirement for new clinical evidence.

The decisions made on this award were based directly on what the Government heard in the consultation.