Carla Lockhart: All Documents

Written Question

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

Thursday 26th March 2026

Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to process claims made in a timely manner.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

As of 10 March, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has paid over £2 billion in compensation. As of 1 October 2025, IBCA had asked every living infected person who is registered with a support scheme to come forward and start their claim. IBCA has now opened the service for the first claims from infected people who were never compensated, deceased infected people, and living affected people. This met the Government’s targets for compensation delivery in 2025.

With each new cohort, IBCA are starting small, allowing them to learn what additions to the claim service are needed. This will allow them to open their service to more people as the service is built around specific needs. Whilst the roll out of the Scheme is an operational decision for IBCA as an independent body, the Government fully supports their commitment to moving forward as swiftly as possible.

Written Question

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

Thursday 26th March 2026

Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Infected Blood Compensation scheme claimants, with a prognosis of less than 12 months life expectancy, are having their claims and registered intent notifications prioritised.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Based on community feedback, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) are prioritising claims for people who have been told by a medical professional that they may have 12 months or less to live. This is regardless of whether they are infected, affected, a beneficiary of an estate of a deceased infected person, or registered with an Infected Blood Support Scheme. IBCA collect information regarding this via their registration service, allowing them to prioritise claims appropriately.

The delivery of compensation is a matter for the IBCA as an operationally independent body. IBCA publishes regular updates on its website of the progress made in delivering compensation, including how many individuals have received compensation payments across all groups.

Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 24 Mar 2026
Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood

"Will my hon. Friend join me in commending Dr Julie Rankin, a consultant in emergency medicine, who has been instrumental in working with the Williamson family from my constituency to create a bereavement suite in Craigavon Area hospital in memory of those little children who have died suddenly in unexplained …..."
Carla Lockhart - View Speech

View all Carla Lockhart (DUP - Upper Bann) contributions to the debate on: Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood

Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 24 Mar 2026
Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood

"The hon. Member is certainly making a very powerful speech on this issue. On 7 January 2024, Teddy Jason Williamson, aged just seven weeks and from my constituency, died of sudden infant death syndrome. Does the hon. Member agree that more practical support is required? Yes, we need research, but …..."
Carla Lockhart - View Speech

View all Carla Lockhart (DUP - Upper Bann) contributions to the debate on: Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood

Division Vote (Commons)
24 Mar 2026 - Oil and Gas - View Vote Context
Carla Lockhart (DUP) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 5 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes vs 0 Democratic Unionist Party No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 108 Noes - 297

Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 23 Mar 2026
Puberty Blockers Clinical Trial

"Children deserve protection, not experimentation. In Upper Bann alone, 1,300 people signed the petition—more than twice the number of signatories in any other constituency. Their message is clear and I stand with them.

Animal testing on mice and monkeys shows that puberty blockers cause irreversible damage to brain development. If …..."
Carla Lockhart - View Speech

View all Carla Lockhart (DUP - Upper Bann) contributions to the debate on: Puberty Blockers Clinical Trial

Division Vote (Commons)
23 Mar 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Carla Lockhart (DUP) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 5 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 0 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 164