Consultation: Proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-24)

The Government is consulting on proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme on the basis of recommendations made in the Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report. Responses to this consultation will support the Government to implement any changes to the Scheme through legislation.

Who should respond to this consultation?

In line with government consultation principles (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consultation-principles-guidance/consultation-principles-2018), this consultation is open to the general public. We particularly welcome responses to this consultation from the infected blood community and any people or organisations with an interest in the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Responding to the consultation

This consultation is hosted on an online survey platform called SmartSurvey. To respond to the consultation, please use the following weblink:

Survey Link (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/IBConsultation/)

We are committed to making sure that anyone who wants to respond to the consultation is able to do so. If, for any reason, you are unable to complete the consultation using the online platform, please contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) to request a Word Document version of the response template.

Once complete, your response should be returned to the same email address. If you would like to send in your response via post, please mark your correspondence ‘Proposed changes to the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme’ and send it to:

Infected Blood Inquiry Response Team Cabinet OfficeThird Floor 1 Horse Guards Road SW1A 2HQ

All responses must be received by the Cabinet Office before the closing date. We will be unable to consider responses received after this deadline.

We recommend that individual organisations provide a single consolidated response.

Summary videos

The consultation is split into seven sections. The below videos summarise the topic covered in each of the sections and the questions that the consultation asks.

Section 1: The Special Category Mechanism and its Equivalents

Section 1: The Special Category Mechanism and its Equivalents (https://youtu.be/ndJoFa63qA4?si=hjKzr1pri5wim3Bl)

Section 2: Severe Psychological Harm

Section 2: Severe Psychological Harm (https://youtu.be/6UU4veWDtVo?si=eeXHnxb_wNeuM8xs)

Section 3: Recognition of Harm caused by Interferon Treatment

Section 3: Recognition of Harm caused by Interferon Treatment (https://youtu.be/PuS6Z2oC7Vk?si=6yDRXcKZsnTVK1dH)

Section 4: To follow

Section 4: To follow (https://youtu.be/luhqod1LZUw?si=IX17dkFtCm0oByHn)

Section 5: Evidence Requirements for Exceptional Loss

Section 5: Evidence Requirements for Exceptional Loss (https://youtu.be/gwoVcbdzIDY?si=LGhhwZpWgVbZ3evD)

Section 6: Supplementary Awards for Affected People

Section 6: Supplementary Awards for Affected People (https://youtu.be/qCG8dYskWmQ?si=KDdfZhnrnscNPwR7)

Section 7: Unethical Research

Section 7: Unethical Research (https://youtu.be/7PNumgERyWo?si=8h0E5ZKcr62HqyeR)

Privacy and Confidentiality

We recognise that the experiences of people in the infected blood community are both private and sensitive, and that they have not always been treated with dignity and respect. Because of that, some people may feel concerned about how their personal information will be handled.

Any information shared as part of this consultation will remain private and confidential. All personal information will be handled in accordance with data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. The Privacy Notice for this consultation provides further detail on how data will be handled.

No one responding to this consultation is obliged to share personal information about their health or circumstances unless they wish to. Respondents may choose to share some but not all of their experiences, or to remain completely anonymous if they prefer.

Enquiries

Please send any enquiries relating to this consultation to:

xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Government response to this consultation

The Government will publish a response to this consultation on gov.uk within 12 weeks of its closing. If, for any reason, it is not possible to publish a response within this timeframe, an explanation for the delay will be provided on this consultation page on gov.uk.