Factor 8 hands Infected Blood Compensation letter to 10 Downing Street
In an impassioned plea for action, members of the campaign group Factor 8 hand-delivered a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street this afternoon, demanding a response to the Infected Blood Inquiry's recommendations for compensation. The delivery comes ahead of the Prime Minister's appearance at the Inquiry this Wednesday.
The letter points to Sunak's own statements when running to become PM in 2022. "The contaminated blood scandal is a tragic injustice and we must now match words with action," the Prime Minister said last July, echoing the sentiments of those directly affected.
The letter places specific emphasis on two key recommendations from the Inquiry's report published in April this year - interim payments for deaths not yet recognised (recommendation 12) and the establishment of the Arm's Length Body (ALB) with an appointed chair (recommendation 14).
Factor 8 points out that many victims die without seeing full redress. In particular, we highlight the unrecognised deaths of many of the 380 children infected with HIV who died in childhood. We argue that interim payments symbolise acknowledgement and initial recognition of each life lost.
Furthermore, we underline that the appointment of the ALB's chair is yet to be made, hindering tangible progress. The ALB is integral to the compensation process, and the current state of inertia adds to the anguish of victims and their families.
The letter appeals to Prime Minister Sunak to use his power and authority to expedite the process of justice. It notes that more than three months have passed since the Inquiry's recommendations were published, and every day of inaction increases the suffering of those affected.
Factor 8 campaigners, representing the hopes of thousands who have suffered, seek an immediate response from the Prime Minister to the call to implement the final compensation recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
As the UK awaits the Prime Minister's response, the delivery of Factor 8's letter signals a significant moment in the ongoing campaign for justice for the victims of the Infected Blood Scandal. With Sunak set to testify at the Inquiry on Wednesday, many hope he heeds the urgent call for action.
