Latest news with #BrianLangstaff
Times
a day ago
- Health
- Times
Delaying payouts for blood and Post Office victims is scandalous
Tens of thousands of people are thought to have received contaminated blood in the 1970s and 1980s LEON NEAL/GETTY IMAGES The familiar truism that justice delayed is justice denied has taken on a morbid sense of urgency for the many victims of the Post Office and infected blood scandals. Thanks to the courageous persistence of campaigners, public officials have been forced to face up to the moral enormity of these past wrongs: respectively, the most widespread miscarriage of justice, and gravest case of medical malpractice, in recent memory. Yet, those charged with remedying these injustices are continuing to drag their feet in awarding victims due redress. It has been estimated that at least 100 further victims of the infected blood scandal have died in the protracted interim between the conclusion of Sir Brian Langstaff's inquiry last year and being invited to apply for compensation. Likewise, some 345 former sub-postmasters are thought to have died before securing any financial restitution. Those still pursuing claims now find themselves caught in an interminable, tortuous, legalistic wrangle: one that seems cynically designed to delay and minimise the total amount of compensation that will eventually have to be paid out. • Keir Starmer: infected blood victims deserve justice now A report published last week into the human toll of the prosecutions made on the basis of the Post Office's defective Horizon IT system was unsparing in its grim detail. Its author, Sir Wyn Williams, concluded that the scandal had driven 13 people to suicide. Many other lives were blighted by addiction, divorce and financial ruin. Yet, the government's declared determination to correct these wrongs is belied by the gross deficiencies Sir Wyn identifies in the remuneration of those harmed. The Post Office compensation programme is byzantine in its complexity, with four separate schemes running in parallel. 3,700 former subpostmasters are yet to receive any payout. Many are locked in a legal limbo while their claims are subjected to excessively bureaucratic and adversarial scrutiny. Claimants are disadvantaged if they can't produce decades-old forms, often long lost. One sub-postmistress claims to have received a compensation offer worth just 0.5 per cent of her original claim. Sir Alan Bates, who championed his fellow sub-postmasters' cause, has fallen victim to what he describes as a 'quasi-kangaroo court', receiving a 'take it or leave it' quote amounting to less than half his submitted claim. Similarly shameful treatment has been meted out to those survivors among the 30,000 NHS patients infected with HIV and hepatitis by contaminated blood products. Last week, Sir Brian Langstaff warned that this compensation system too is creating 'obvious injustice'. Only 460 people have received full payouts, the result of a dilatory process forcing victims to be invited to make a claim rather than initiate one themselves. • Infected blood victims 'left suicidal' by compensation delays It is clear that government officials and civil servants tasked with disbursing payouts are subjecting comparatively powerless individuals to a level of rigoristic penny-pinching they would not dream of applying elsewhere. When set alongside the kind of financial waste casually tolerated within government, from the eye-watering sums sunk into HS2 to the near £2 billion in 'bounce back loan' fraud complacently written off by the very same department of business overseeing appeals by victims of the Post Office, the contrast is galling. Victims of the infected blood and Post Office scandals have had their right to restitution established by due process. Obstructionist officials should not be allowed to deny them justice.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Contaminated blood victims suffering further because of compensation delays, finds report
Ministers last year set up an £11.8billion fund but so far just £300million has been paid out COMPO DELAY INSULT Contaminated blood victims suffering further because of compensation delays, finds report Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CONTAMINATED blood victims are enduring further suffering because of compensation delays, a report has found. Sir Brian Langstaff — who last year called the NHS scandal the worst medical cover-up in British history — now says help for patients and their families has been 'profoundly unsatisfactory'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up More than 30,000 people were infected with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis after clinics used high-risk blood donors in the 1970s and '80s. Ministers last year set up an £11.8billion fund but so far just £300million has been paid out. Campaigners estimate 100 people have died waiting since Sir Brian's 2024 report. Yesterday, Sir Brian, chair of the official Infected Blood Inquiry, blasted: 'I did not expect that the inquiry would have to issue a further report, because I hoped — indeed, expected — there would be no need for one.' He said: 'The UK Government has known for years that compensation was inevitable, and identified many who should have it. "But only 460 have so far received compensation and many more have not even been allowed to start the process.' He found the Infected Blood Compensation Authority set up its scheme without working directly with victims. And he added: 'For decades, people who suffered because of infected blood have not been listened to. "Once again, decisions are being made behind closed doors, leading to obvious injustice. 'It's not too late to get this right. 'Seismic' moment as infected blood scandal report is published "We are calling for compensation to be made faster and, more than that, fairer.' Richard Angell, of charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'Those impacted by this tragedy have endured unimaginable suffering.' Kate Burt, from the Haemophilia Society, added: 'This failure is exhausting, damaging and is stripping this community of its dignity.' The Government said: 'We are taking action to enable a quicker compensation process.'
Spectator
6 days ago
- Health
- Spectator
The inquiry into infected blood is just the start
Infected blood victims have been ignored, inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff told survivors and their families at London's Westminster Chapel this afternoon. A new 200-page report into the scandal was published today, delivering a damning verdict on the actions – or lack thereof – of politicians in the rollout of the compensation scheme announced last year. Langstaff lamented today that delays to payouts have resulted in victims infected with contaminated blood products between the 1970s to 90s with HIV and hepatitis C being 'harmed further'. Today's report reveals the main failings of the compensation scheme include ministers not listening to victims, leading to 'obvious injustices' that could have been avoided, while compensation delays mean more people will die before they receive any kind of justice. 'Many of you were worried that the fight for justice might not have ended with the publication of the [infected blood scandal] inquiry reported over a year ago,' Langstaff remarked this afternoon. 'Yes, the government announced a compensation scheme and, yes, it is properly funded. But,' he paused, 'just as you feared, this is not the whole story.' While the latest figures from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) show that over 2,000 people have been asked to begin their claims, only 460 have been compensated in full and 'many, many more have not even been allowed to begin the process'. More than 3,000 people of the 30,000 given contaminated blood products have already passed away. Starmer's government has set aside £11.8bn for compensation and says it is slashing red tape in attempts to speed up payments, but Langstaff insists that mistakes are still being made. There are horrific stories of injustice that illustrate the flaws in the current compensation scheme. Currently victims have to be asked to apply for payouts, instead of simply putting forward their case themselves. This of course lengthens wait times and can have dire consequences: not only are direct victims of the scandal dying, delays have taken so long that now their families are too. Richard Angell, the chief of the Terrence Higgins Trust – which aims to end new HIV cases by 2030 – described the case of a family whose young son died thirty years ago of Aids-related illnesses caused by infected blood. 'His father now has dementia. It shouldn't be too much for him to receive compensation whilst he can still remember his son.' Meanwhile controversy has erupted over the compensation cut-off date. A mother explains her daughter was invited to claim a payment – before being turned away as she had been infected before 1982. Another patient told the report: 'It feels as if we are waiting to die, in limbo.' There have been plenty of recommendations put forward by the inquiry. Priority should be given to those who are seriously ill or older, while victims themselves should be able to apply for compensation rather than wait to be asked. The 1982 cut-off date should be pushed back, and extra payment should be awarded to those patients who found themselves victims of experimentation. And, of course, the inquiry chair has called for a more transparent system that better involves all those affected. Labour has so far been defensive on the issue, with Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds denying on Radio 4's Today programme that the government was 'dragging its heels', insisting he had been 'listening to the voice of victims'. This latest report comes just a day after the publication of the first report from the Post Office scandal. The devastating findings suggest that more than 13 people may have been driven to suicide by the Horizon IT scandal – while at least 59 more contemplated it over one of the UK's worst miscarriages of justice. These inquiries are only the start, however. The level of public anger at these devastating sagas is hard to overstate, and many parliamentarians across the house have constituents with firsthand experiences of these scandals. It is in the government's interests that the road to compensation is a short one – and this is not yet another case of dither and delay.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Failures in compensation scheme for infected blood laid bare in report
The Infected Blood Inquiry warned that there has been a 'repetition of the mistakes of the past' and that people have been 'harmed yet further' since the scheme was established. Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the probe, said that the number of people who have been compensated to date is 'profoundly unsatisfactory' as he called for 'faster and fairer' compensation for victims. The latest report of the inquiry concludes: – There was a 'missed opportunity' to consult with people affected by the scandal. – There has been a 'repetition of mistakes in the past' in the way both the Conservative and Labour governments have responded. – Trust in the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has been 'lost' by many members of the infected blood community. – People impacted by the scandal have expressed a 'grave concern' over the delay in compensation and a 'lack' of clear timescales as to when it will be delivered. – The report raises concerns about how the regulations underpinning the compensation authority have created a 'liability window' which mean people infected with HIV with contaminated blood or blood products before 1982 will not be compensated which is 'illogical and profoundly unjust'. – The impacts of a hepatitis infection are not being 'fully recognised' in the compensation scheme, including the impact of early treatment for the virus which has been linked to severe side-effects. The main report of the Infected Blood Inquiry was published in May 2024 (PA) Campaign group Tainted Blood has estimated that at least 100 people have died while waiting for compensation since the main report was published last year. Writing in the 210-page report, Sir Brian said: 'Trust has not yet been regained but instead has been further damaged and that people have been harmed yet further by the way in which they have been treated.' Speaking to people impacted by the scandal at an event in central London, Sir Brian said that 'delay creates an injustice all of its own'. He described how one man spent his dying days applying for compensation but died before he received it. 'One man spent his last days applying for compensation but died before the process was complete. 'His family do not know when they will receive the recognition that should have been his. 'A mother in her 80s, whose two sons and husband were infected at the same hospital, died before she was even allowed to start the process. 'Many, many fear they will not live to see the recognition which compensation brings.' The report details how another victim described how 'it feels as if we are waiting to die, in limbo, unable to make any progress in our lives'. The Inquiry's Additional Report on Compensation is now published on the Inquiry website. Access the Report here: — Infected Blood Inquiry (@bloodinquiry) July 9, 2025 He described how victims of the scandal told him how the compensation scheme had left them feeling 'desperate and powerless'. Sir Brian highlighted how his first report on compensation was published in 2023 yet some affected people have been told that they may not receive compensation until 2029. He said that it was 'inexplicable' and 'unthinkable' for the compensation scheme to be devised without input from the infected blood community. Sir Brian said that 'time is not on anyone's side' as he made a series of recommendations to improve the compensation scheme. 'Once again decisions have been made behind closed doors leading to obvious injustices,' he said. 'The UK Government has known for years that compensation for thousands of people was inevitable and had identified many of those who should have it – but only 460 have received compensation so far and many, many more have not even been allowed to begin the process. 'We are calling for compensation to be faster, and more than that, fairer.' More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result, and survivors are living with life-long health implications. The Infected Blood Inquiry published its main report on the scandal in May last year, and a compensation scheme was announced a day later. But in the same week a general election was called and officials from the IBCA have described how in the early days of the organisation it consisted of two men, a laptop and a phone. We've published our latest compensation figures today – these are accurate as of 1 July 2025. We will continue to publish updated figures every two weeks. Click the link to see the latest figures: — Infected Blood Compensation Authority (@IBCA_UK) July 3, 2025 Some £11.8 billion has been allocated to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA. As of July 1, some 2,043 people have been asked to make a claim, and 460 people have had their compensation paid totalling more than £326 million, according to IBCA figures. On Sunday, the Cabinet Office said that it will 'reduce the administration and process delays' victims are facing, meaning the IBCA will 'be able to deliver services quickly, and require different supporting information from claimants'. A Government spokesperson said: 'This additional report reflects the unprecedented nature of the Infected Blood Scandal and the thoroughness of the Inquiry's investigation. 'We are grateful to the Inquiry for its ongoing work. We will now consider all of its recommendations. 'Over £300 million has been paid to victims since the compensation scheme opened last October and we are taking action to enable a quicker compensation process.'
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Failures in compensation scheme for infected blood laid bare in report
The Infected Blood Inquiry warned that there has been a 'repetition of the mistakes of the past' and that people have been 'harmed yet further' since the scheme was established. Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the probe, said that the number of people who have been compensated to date is 'profoundly unsatisfactory' as he called for 'faster and fairer' compensation for victims. The latest report of the inquiry concludes: – There was a 'missed opportunity' to consult with people affected by the scandal. – There has been a 'repetition of mistakes in the past' in the way both the Conservative and Labour governments have responded. – Trust in the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has been 'lost' by many members of the infected blood community. – People impacted by the scandal have expressed a 'grave concern' over the delay in compensation and a 'lack' of clear timescales as to when it will be delivered. – The report raises concerns about how the regulations underpinning the compensation authority have created a 'liability window' which mean people infected with HIV with contaminated blood or blood products before 1982 will not be compensated which is 'illogical and profoundly unjust'. – The impacts of a hepatitis infection are not being 'fully recognised' in the compensation scheme, including the impact of early treatment for the virus which has been linked to severe side-effects. Campaign group Tainted Blood has estimated that at least 100 people have died while waiting for compensation since the main report was published last year. Writing in the 210-page report, Sir Brian said: 'Trust has not yet been regained but instead has been further damaged and that people have been harmed yet further by the way in which they have been treated.' Speaking to people impacted by the scandal at an event in central London, Sir Brian said that 'delay creates an injustice all of its own'. He described how one man spent his dying days applying for compensation but died before he received it. 'One man spent his last days applying for compensation but died before the process was complete. 'His family do not know when they will receive the recognition that should have been his. 'A mother in her 80s, whose two sons and husband were infected at the same hospital, died before she was even allowed to start the process. 'Many, many fear they will not live to see the recognition which compensation brings.' The report details how another victim described how 'it feels as if we are waiting to die, in limbo, unable to make any progress in our lives'. The Inquiry's Additional Report on Compensation is now published on the Inquiry website. Access the Report here: — Infected Blood Inquiry (@bloodinquiry) July 9, 2025 He described how victims of the scandal told him how the compensation scheme had left them feeling 'desperate and powerless'. Sir Brian highlighted how his first report on compensation was published in 2023 yet some affected people have been told that they may not receive compensation until 2029. He said that it was 'inexplicable' and 'unthinkable' for the compensation scheme to be devised without input from the infected blood community. Sir Brian said that 'time is not on anyone's side' as he made a series of recommendations to improve the compensation scheme. 'Once again decisions have been made behind closed doors leading to obvious injustices,' he said. 'The UK Government has known for years that compensation for thousands of people was inevitable and had identified many of those who should have it – but only 460 have received compensation so far and many, many more have not even been allowed to begin the process. 'We are calling for compensation to be faster, and more than that, fairer.' More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result, and survivors are living with life-long health implications. The Infected Blood Inquiry published its main report on the scandal in May last year, and a compensation scheme was announced a day later. But in the same week a general election was called and officials from the IBCA have described how in the early days of the organisation it consisted of two men, a laptop and a phone. We've published our latest compensation figures today – these are accurate as of 1 July 2025. We will continue to publish updated figures every two weeks. Click the link to see the latest figures: — Infected Blood Compensation Authority (@IBCA_UK) July 3, 2025 Some £11.8 billion has been allocated to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA. As of July 1, some 2,043 people have been asked to make a claim, and 460 people have had their compensation paid totalling more than £326 million, according to IBCA figures. On Sunday, the Cabinet Office said that it will 'reduce the administration and process delays' victims are facing, meaning the IBCA will 'be able to deliver services quickly, and require different supporting information from claimants'. A Government spokesperson said: 'This additional report reflects the unprecedented nature of the Infected Blood Scandal and the thoroughness of the Inquiry's investigation. 'We are grateful to the Inquiry for its ongoing work. We will now consider all of its recommendations. 'Over £300 million has been paid to victims since the compensation scheme opened last October and we are taking action to enable a quicker compensation process.'
