Statement on Victims & Prisoners Bill - Committee Stage

On Monday 26th February, the House of Lords will consider the Infected Blood Compensation clause (Part 3) of the Victims & Prisoners Bill. The existing clause places upon the government a legal requirement to establish an infected blood compensation system within three months of the act becoming law and for all those outlined in the final compensation report to be eligible.

A further amendment (134) will be considered, which is the Infected Blood Inquiry's final compensation Recommendation 12 - The need for interim payments in respect of deaths not yet recognised to be made through the existing support schemes. The bereaved families of children who died and of adults who died single must be recognised.

Those who were orphaned when both of their parents died or who were orphaned and lost other family members through HIV vertical transmission must see their deceased loved ones recognised.

No longer should the government ignore some of the very worst impacted families of the infected blood scandal.

We look forward to a vote on amendment 134 at the Report Stage if the government does not act beforehand. Given the existing cross-party support, we believe Amendment 134, or a similar amendment, will command a majority in the Lords at the Report Stage.