Since 20 May, when the Inquiry Report was published, the Inquiry has been contacted by many people infected and affected from across the UK. Long-standing campaigners as well as many concerned individuals have expressed their concerns about the way compensation is being implemented and the time it is taking.
The Inquiry is today publishing additional evidence - witness statements which highlight many of the issues that have been raised with the Inquiry. The statements come from 27 organisations, groups and individuals, as well as the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office Nick Thomas-Symonds, James Quinault (the director general responsible for work within the Cabinet Office on infected blood compensation) and David Foley (Interim Chief Executive of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, or IBCA).
The evidence the Inquiry received includes the following statements:
“We [IBCA] are also working within timescales as agreed with the Cabinet Office which are to pay the first infected person by the end of 2024, to pay the first affected person by the end of 2025, to pay the bulk of infected persons by the end of 2027 and to pay the bulk of affected persons by the end of 2029.” (David Foley)
When the Inquiry final report was published on 20 May, I felt that the Inquiry had taken the time to listen to us and that we had been vindicated. The recent actions of Government make me feel as though they have not paid attention to the criticisms made in the report, to the point where I question whether they have even read it. I feel total despair. (Sean Cavens)
“The impact on the community has been absolutely devastating, it has caused upset, confusion, anxiety, fear, desperation and division unlike anything we [The Hepatitis C Trust] have experienced so far in the 21 years of supporting them.” (Samantha May)
In light of the gravity of the issues that have been raised with the Inquiry, the Chair intends to publish a further report, which will consider the timeliness and adequacy of the Government’s response on compensation. The Chair has not yet decided whether any further hearings are required.
Sir Brian Langstaff said:
“The distress and feelings of powerlessness expressed in many of these statements can neither be denied nor ignored. Our goal at the Inquiry is to identify whether there are practical measures that could be taken or changes made to address the concerns that have been brought to us. Our intention is for this to be a constructive process, and we are anxious not to contribute to further delay in individuals receiving compensation.”
The report will be published in line with paragraph 5 of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. To inform this further report, the Inquiry is seeking further evidence, including from the Cabinet Office and IBCA. In due course, core participants to the Inquiry will be invited to make written submissions (through their recognised legal representatives where they are represented), in accordance with the Inquiries Act and Inquiry Rules. This is said now so that those who intend to make written submissions may begin considering them in the interest of speed, even if they cannot be completed until all the further evidence has been gathered in.
The Inquiry expects to publish further statements next month. At that time, the Inquiry will also announce whether additional hearings will be held, the timeframe for providing written submissions and for the publication of its further report.
The new witness statements can be read here.