Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Will the Paymaster confirm how many chronic Hepatitis B and chronic Hepatitis C victims received their compensation and how many do the IBCA intend to review because of administrative mistakes on the redefinition of chronic Hepatitis B.

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) continuously seeks to improve and add detail as it learns from real claims. On clinical matters, IBCA seeks regular advice from clinical advisers to ensure that their approach adequately reflects clinical understanding in line with the regulations.

Within the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025, there is a provision that permits IBCA to reclaim amounts of money that are, following a review process, found to have been overpayments. This is an important protection, both against error and against fraudulent claims.

The Regulations give IBCA the discretion not to recover payments in certain circumstances, such as where the overpayment was IBCA’s fault, enabling decisions that are humane, fair and proportionate. When making a decision on whether to exercise this discretion, IBCA must have regard to wider public law principles and the requirements of managing public money. IBCA is not able to publish information on compensation claims that provides detail on applicants’ infections. This is to ensure the privacy of applicants is adequately protected.