Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery has hit out at "dither and delay" with the Government yet to set out plans to fully compensate victims of the contaminated blood scandal.
This comes despite Sir Brian Langstaff - chair of the ongoing independent public inquiry into the "biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS" - produced an interim report urging the Government to act on compensation. The scandal saw thousands infected with lethal viruses such as HIV and hepatitis through blood products provided on the NHS.
Sir Brian told the Government in his report that the scandal had seen "wrongs done on individual, collective and systemic levels", and that it must set up a full compensation scheme this year to provide redress. It's likely that compensation will run well into the millions.
In the Government's first formal response to this report, Paymaster General and minister in the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin told the House of Commons: "The Government welcome the publication of the infected blood inquiry’s second interim report, and I would like to thank Sir Brian Langstaff and all those who have contributed.
"The infected blood inquiry has done a huge amount of work on an intensely complex issue, ensuring that victims’ voices are heard. I have been deeply moved by the testimonies outlined in the latest report, and the victims’ bravery in coming forward should not be overlooked.
"The issuing of a second interim report specifically on compensation was not anticipated by the Government until we were informed of it by the inquiry in February this year. However, we very much appreciate and welcome Sir Brian taking this approach. The Government are considering intensely the recommendations outlined in this report, and work is under way at pace across all relevant Departments to respond fully."
However, Northumberland MP Ian Lavery - whose constituent Sean Cavens is one of the youngest victims of the scandal, having contracted hepatitis through products given to treat haemophilia as an infant in Scotland - said this was not enough.
Mr Lavery said: "The Minister is absolutely correct—tens of thousands of people are fixed to their televisions today, expecting a resolution to this inquiry. I will tell him why they are disappointed: because they do not have time on their side.
"Hundreds have already died and more are dying on a week-by-week basis. They do not have time on their side. We need to ensure that the Government respond fully to this report and set out a clear timetable on actions from the report. Remember, people are dying as the Government are dithering and delaying."
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