UK Economy Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Monday 19th February 2024

(2 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Bim Afolami Portrait Bim Afolami
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No, I would not.

Diana Johnson Portrait Dame Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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The economy is in recession and the consequences for the public finances are not the fault of those people infected and affected through the contaminated blood scandal, the largest treatment disaster in the NHS. I was hoping to ask the Chancellor this question, but can the Minister confirm whether money has already been ringfenced to pay compensation to those people, as set out in the final recommendations on compensation by Sir Brian Langstaff in April 2023?

Bim Afolami Portrait Bim Afolami
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I believe that the right hon. Lady asked a similar question of the Chancellor at the last Treasury questions, and the Chancellor responded by saying that he was absolutely clear about the need to compensate people in the way that she has described. He will update the House in due course and indeed update her with further details in response to her question.