Asked by: Robin Walker (Conservative - Worcester)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the number of people that would be eligible for compensation under the terms of the recommendations of the second interim report of Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023, in Worcester.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991 and subsequent survival rates. Since October 2022, the Government has paid over £400 million in interim compensation payments to those infected or bereaved partners registered with the UK Infected Blood Support Schemes, totalling over 4000 individuals. However, the requested information is not available by Parliamentary constituency. There is also considerable uncertainty over the number of people, especially those affected, who might be eligible under Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations. Therefore I am not able to provide a substantive response to the Honourable member’s questions on his constituency.
Asked by: Robin Walker (Conservative - Worcester)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people in Worcester have received interim compensation payments as a result of (a) their infection and (b) their family member’s infection resulting from contaminated blood or blood products.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991 and subsequent survival rates. Since October 2022, the Government has paid over £400 million in interim compensation payments to those infected or bereaved partners registered with the UK Infected Blood Support Schemes, totalling over 4000 individuals. However, the requested information is not available by Parliamentary constituency. There is also considerable uncertainty over the number of people, especially those affected, who might be eligible under Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations. Therefore I am not able to provide a substantive response to the Honourable member’s questions on his constituency.
Asked by: Robin Walker (Conservative - Worcester)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, what criteria the Government uses to decide whether to carry out targeted strikes against individuals in Syria.
Answered by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton - Foreign Secretary
Following the House of Commons vote on 2 December 2015, the UK joined a global coalition taking military action to tackle the threat posed by Daesh in Syria, as well as Iraq. The action in which the UK is participating includes targeted strikes against members of Daesh in Syria and Iraq, as well as targeting Daesh’s infrastructure, deployed forces and sources of revenue. The Coalition’s ongoing action, including the role of the UK, is lawful in Syria under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and in Iraq with the consent of the Iraqi Government. Coalition action has the support of the international community as reflected in UN Security Council resolution 2249(2015), and the support of the House of Commons.
My comments to the then right hon. Member for Neath (Mr Hain) on 26 September 2014, Official Report, column 1265, and the Oral Statement I gave on 7 September 2015, Official Report, column 26, about taking lawful action in response to an identified, direct and imminent threat to the UK would still apply, of course, to individuals in Syria and Iraq who are not members of Daesh. The Government reserves the right to take lawful action to address an identified, direct and imminent threat to the UK and report to Parliament after it has done so.
Asked by: Robin Walker (Conservative - Worcester)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress his Department has made on developing social finance.
Answered by Rob Wilson
The UK is recognised as the world leader in social investment.
Across the country, social investment is helping social enterprises tackle issues and transform lives. It has an important role in building a more sustainable, resilient social sector.
We have created funds and programmes, which support these organisations to access investment and increase their impact.
I want this leadership to continue, and this Government is absolutely committed to growing this essential marketplace.
Asked by: Robin Walker (Conservative - Worcester)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has the Minister made of the progress of the National Citizenship Service.
Answered by Rob Wilson
By the end of this year, we expect that over 200,000 young people will have benefited from NCS. Independent evaluations are showing that NCS is helping it deliver more confident, capable and engaged young people. That is why government has pledged to guarantee a place for every young person who wants one.