Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they provide a lower level of support for the surviving partners of those infected by hepatitis C through contaminated blood, compared to the surviving partners of those infected by HIV or co-infected, and if so, why.

Under the reformed ex-gratia payment scheme for infected blood announced on 13 July 2016, the partner/spouse at the time of death of a primary beneficiary will be entitled to a £10,000 one-off lump sum where HIV or hepatitis C infection contributed to the death of their partner/spouse. This will apply to those already bereaved, provided they register before the end of this financial year. Anyone newly bereaved from this year will automatically receive the lump sum. Discretionary support, in an enhanced form from financial year 2018/19, will continue to be available to all bereaved partners/spouses.