Ministers did not listen to infected blood victims, says chair of inquiry

Victims of the infected blood scandal had “not been listened to” by ministers, the chair of the inquiry said yesterday in a report that called for an overhaul of the government’s compensation system.

- Rachel Hall

The additional report laid bare the failings of the government’s detailed compensation scheme, and set out recommendations to make it fairer and faster.

It criticised ministers for designing the scheme without consulting the victims, as was recommended in the inquiry’s main report, published in May 2024, which it said had led to “obvious injustices” that could have been avoided.

Sir Brian Langstaff, the chair of the infected blood public inquiry, who authored the report, said: “For decades people who suffered because of infected blood have not been listened to. Once again decisions have been made behind closed doors leading to obvious injustices.

“The UK government has known for years that compensation for thousands of people was inevitable and had identified many of those who should have it. But only 460 have received compensation so far and many, many more have not even been allowed to begin the process.”