Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant the Answer of 26 November 2018 to Question 194124 on Blood: Contamination, what plans he has to increase the level of financial support provide to people affected by infected blood and blood products; and if he will make a statement.

The England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS), administered by NHS Business Services Authority, was launched on 1 November 2017 following two public consultations in 2016 and 2017. These consultations sought views on the proposed reforms to the EIBSS and the new special appeals mechanisms for those with chronic hepatitis C infection. Over the period of the current spending review, the launch of the EIBSS was part of the Government’s commitment, in January 2016, to provide an extra £125 million to support people affected by infected blood and blood products.

The Infected Blood Inquiry, announced in July 2017, has included examination of the support provided to people affected by infected blood in its terms of reference. The Department continues to follow the Inquiry closely and will careful consider any views from the Inquiry on where further improvements to the EIBSS could be made.