PUBLISHED: Infected Blood Compensation Documents

Today, Factor 8 shares a collection of documents obtained from the Department for Work & Pensions which relate to the government's internal response to Infected Blood Compensation, particularly Sir Robert Francis KC's infected blood compensation study.

These documents were obtained from DWP through use of the freedom of information act. Initially, DWP refused to release these documents. Refusal continued even after an Internal Review (appeal). However, Factor 8 made an extensive argument as to why release should be made and escalated the request to the Information Commissioner's Office. Following ICO intervention, the documents were eventually released.

One of the most important documents is a letter from late 2022 from the Paymaster General, Jeremy Quin, to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt. In the letter, Quin asked Hunt for permission to accept three of Sir Robert's recommendations ahead of a ministerial statement to the House of Commons in December 2022. Ultimately, Quin did not publicly accept any of Sir Robert's recommendations at that time or since, raising questions about why this may be.

A planned government timetable is also contained within the letter from Quin to Hunt, which shows a government objective of completing compensation work by May 2023. A date which has now passed.

There is little doubt that these documents will be of significant interest to those infected and affected by infected blood products and we hope that MP's will be able to seek answers regarding their contents. 

The full set of documents can be accessed at the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q3fvd1gqeuf9yt3/AAA0I5XC9dU6mO5icuGbsE2oa?dl=0