Calls for Infected Blood ‘affected’ claims to be brought forward

Labour and Co-operative MP for Cramlington and Killingworth, Emma Foody, has called for claims for ‘affected’ infected blood claims to be brought forward to ensure that family members of the infected get to see justice.

The Infected Blood Inquiry refers to ‘affected’ as those who ‘have suffered the impacts of infected blood through their relationship with an infected person’ which can include partners, parents and children of those infected.

Ms Foody has been supporting a constituent who is eligible for compensation through the scheme as someone infected, and has recently been invited to start the compensation process. Speaking in the House of Commons, the MP raised with the Paymaster General those affected, given the decades that many of them, especially parents of the infected, have waited for justice.

The Cramlington and Killingworth MP stated:

“I speak today on behalf of one of my constituents, a core participant of the Inquiry, who has recently been invited to start his claim. They’ve asked specifically about the affected, such as parents of the infected, and when they will be invited to start their claim, given that they have been waiting decades for justice and that concerns that delays may mean that they don’t get to see it in their lifetime”.

In response, the Paymaster General confirmed that the government expects the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to start payments for the affected by the end of the year.

Following the exchange, Ms Foody added:

“The infected blood scandal has impacted many, not just those directly infected, but their loved ones. It is crucial that, especially parents of the infected, are able to see justice delivered and compensation issued, after decades of fighting.

“I welcome the steps that the government is taking and commitment to continue to work with both the infected and affected to deliver this fairly and swiftly”.