Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Lord Doyle Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Doyle (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness. I want to mention in particular the contribution from the noble Baroness, Lady Davies of Devonport, who set out so powerfully the real-world consequences of this scandal: not just the infections but the stigma that went with them. I thank her for doing that in this debate.

I thank the Minister for all her work on this; I know she has been a passionate advocate for change. I also want to use this debate to pay tribute also to the outgoing Paymaster General, Nick Thomas-Symonds, for all that he did to implement the inquiry’s recommendations. We now have an operational, funded compensation scheme that has paid out more than £2.5 billion. The difference this has made to victims is immeasurable. For many infected people, it has brought not only financial security but, after more than 40 years, the sense that they can begin to move forward with dignity and hope.

I pay tribute to the Terrence Higgins Trust for its tireless work in supporting people living with HIV and hepatitis C, and ensuring that victims’ voices have been heard, because there are a couple of outstanding issues for those co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood and blood products that I want to mention today. The first regards interferon treatment.

Many people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C could not wait for newer, safer treatments. Their health was deteriorating, HIV treatment options were limited and the pressure to act was immense. Interferon brought severe side-effects, repeated courses of therapy and additional suffering, compounded by HIV infection. The Government have said in the other place that those who suffered side-effects from interferon will receive an additional award and that each course of treatment will be recognised. That commitment is absolutely welcome but, from my reading of them, it is not explicitly in the regulations before us. Will the Minister confirm that this instrument will apply equally to all co-infected victims, including payments for each round of interferon treatment?

My second point concerns bereaved parents. I welcome the proposed exceptional loss uplift for bereaved partners, children, siblings and parents of children who died before 18, but there remains a gap. Many people infected with HIV never had the opportunity to build families of their own because of the stigma, discrimination and fear, and the expectation of an early death. Some died as adults while still being cared for by their parents. Those parents still suffered profound loss and should not be excluded simply because their child lived beyond their 18th birthday. I therefore ask the Minister to consider extending the 50% exceptional loss uplift to bereaved parents whose infected child died aged over 18 without a partner or children.

This scandal caused lifelong physical and psychological harm, compounded for those living with HIV by stigma, isolation and decades of uncertainty. This Government have made great strides towards justice: to rebuilding trust through the scheme and, with the passing of the duty of candour law, to dealing with other such scandals. I hope we can now take these final steps to ensure that everyone impacted receives the fairness, dignity and recognition they deserve.