82 people have died since call for infected blood compensation, say campaigners

Some 82 victims of the infected blood scandal have died since recommendations were made about compensation for people affected by the scandal and their loved ones, campaigners have said.

Campaigners are planning a demonstration in Westminster on Wednesday calling for urgent action on compensation payments.

The Infected Blood Inquiry, which is due to publish its final report in May, made its final recommendations on compensation for victims and their loved ones in April 2023.

The victims of this scandal have been waiting for justice for decades and shouldn’t be made to wait any longer, with 82 having died since the inquiry published its full and final recommendations on compensation in April 2023

Richard Angell, Terrence Higgins Trust

The Government has previously been accused of dragging its feet over compensation and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was heckled when he appeared before the inquiry last year as he vowed to pay compensation “as swiftly as possible”.

Campaigners are assembling ahead of next week’s Budget to demand money is allocated to compensating people affected by the scandal.

Thousands of patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.

Richard Angell, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “There is no need to wait for the final blood inquiry report for the government to fund and legislate for compensation for those infected and affected.

“The victims of this scandal have been waiting for justice for decades and shouldn’t be made to wait any longer, with 82 having died since the inquiry published its full and final recommendations on compensation in April 2023.