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UK ministers have agreed a three-month deadline to set up a compensation scheme for victims of the tainted blood scandal, but warned it could be “inevitably” delayed if parliament is not in session.
Although he did not mention an election, the deputy leader of the Lords, Earl Howe, indicated that “dissolution, postponement or adjournment” could affect the government’s ability to act, but added that it was “a risk and nothing more”.
Westminster is due at the end of July for the summer break.
The government’s concession on imposing a timetable for the compensation scheme came after the administration was accused of trying to “backtrack” on a Commons-backed move to speed up payouts following a Tory rebellion.
Facing further defeat in the Lords, the administration agreed to a Labour-led demand for a system to be in place within three months of the Victims and Prisoners Bill coming into force.
Thousands of patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. Ministers were accused of delaying compensation.
Speaking at the report stage of the bill, Lord Howe said: “The victims of this scandal have waited too long to see justice and the Government shares the determination of the House to ensure that compensation reaches victims quickly.”
He added: “We recognize that Parliament and the blood transfusion community need clarity on when these measures will be introduced.
“I can now say that the Government supports the Opposition’s amendment to deliver the regulations establishing a tainted blood compensation scheme within three months of Royal Assent and we are committed to doing so.”
Howe added: “There is also the challenge that we need to build confidence in the blood transfusion community about the scheme’s provisions. This would require sufficient time when both Ministers and Parliament are available before regulations are passed.
“We are absorbed by the need to act as quickly as possible to provide compensation to victims, regardless of external pressures that may arise.”
Confirming acceptance of the opposition amendment, he said it was “in the spirit of consensus, albeit in the light of that practical caveat I expressed, which is a risk and nothing more”.
Howe said: “It is the government’s duty and responsibility to provide clarity and reassurance to those who have been failed by the state. I would like to pay tribute to those who continue the campaign and who have brought us to where we are today. We have to do this right and we have to do it fast.”
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Labour’s shadow cabinet minister, said: “Victims of the tainted blood scandal have won another important victory. I pay tribute to those who fought so hard for justice. Labor is proud to have helped secure this vital change in the law to try and speed up the compensation scheme.
“The Government has now been forced, under cross-party pressure, to set out a clear timetable for delivering a final compensation scheme. They must now move forward – urgently – with preparing the body to make payments.
“The Labor Party will continue to do everything possible not to waste any more time.”
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