Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress the Government has made on implementing the recommendations in the report by (a) Sir Robert Francis entitled Compensation and Redress for the Victims of Infected Blood: Recommendations for a Framework, published on 7 June 2022, and (b) the Infected Blood Inquiry entitled Second Interim Report, published on 5 April 2023; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The Government continues to make progress and is working to be ready to respond soon after the publication of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, following the interim payments we have already made. On 23 October I issued a public statement on the Government’s current position in responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry. The timetable of the Inquiry is a matter for the chair. I will update the House as soon as I have further information to provide.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government has made on implementing the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry's report entitled Second Interim Report, published on 5 April 2023.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
I refer the Honourable Member to my previous answer to UIN 201237 on 20th October 2023.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to implement the recommendations of the second interim report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
I would like to refer the Honourable member to the debate on Thursday 22nd June, where I updated Parliament on the Government’s progress on this important issue. In this update, I shared that part of this work includes chairing a Small Ministerial Group (SMG) to enable in-depth discussion about the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s second interim report and HM Treasury is represented at this group. The SMG is an important forum to work through the recommendations and drive forward the Government’s response to the anticipated Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by Sir Robert Francis entitled Compensation and redress for the victims of infected blood: recommendations for a framework, published on 7 June 2022, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of recommendation 14 of that report on interim payments; and whether his Department is taking steps to implement that recommendation.
Answered by Michael Ellis
There are a number of complex issues arising from the recommendations in the Compensation Framework Study. These issues are under active consideration across government, including consideration of Sir Robert’s evidence to the independent Inquiry on 11-12 July. I will update the House as this work progresses.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by Sir Robert Francis entitled, Compensation and Redress for the Victims of Infected Blood, Recommendations for a Framework, published on 7 June 2022, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on providing additional funding allocations to ensure that compensation payments to people affected by contaminated blood products are not funded from existing health and social care budgets.
Answered by Michael Ellis
I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ 16932 on 20 June 2022.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with (a) the Welsh Government and (b) the other devolved administrations on implementing a framework for compensation for the victims of contaminated blood to ensure that there is parity of support for all the victims across the UK.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Work is currently underway across the government on a number of infected blood issues. I will update the House shortly on progress.
The (then) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry on 2 July 2018, approving legal support funding for people infected, and their families. Details of how to apply for funding are on the Inquiry’s website - Statement of Approach: Legal Representation at Public Expense.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether candidates standing for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections will be provided with a freepost to electors.
Answered by Chloe Smith
As for previous Police and Crime Commissioner elections, all candidates standing at the May 2020 Police and Crime Commissioner elections are entitled to have a candidate address published on the choosemypcc.org.uk website. The Government will meet the cost of providing, on request, to eligible electors a printed booklet of all the candidate addresses for their police area.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to publicise the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 7 May 2020.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The statutory responsibility to raise awareness of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections rests with the Electoral Commission and the Returning Officers running the polls, although political parties and candidates also have a major - but non-statutory - role. It is expected that candidates seeking votes will undertake activity to set out their policies and encourage participation.
In parallel to this, poll cards provide electors with details of the Government run freephone telephone number and website to obtain information about candidates, which can be downloaded from the website. A paper booklet can also be requested and sent for free to an elector’s home address. Booklets can be ordered in large print, braille and audio versions.
The Government supports these statutory activities by providing funding to Police Area Returning Officers (PAROs) to raise awareness. The Government also undertakes a range of promotional activities, including via social media and the provision of advertising material to PAROs.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government is making on reform of the House of Lords.
Answered by David Lidington
The Government is continuing to work constructively with Peers, where there is consensus within the House of Lords, to enable them to achieve reforms that ensure the House continues to work effectively. The Prime Minister has committed to do her bit to reduce the size of the House by continuing the restrained approach she has taken so far to appointments. The Government welcomes the work of Lord Burns and his Committee and his second report which shows that good progress had been made on retirements.