UK Government Faces Criticism Over Slow Compensation for 30,000 Infected Blood Victims

Victims of the infected blood scandal continue to face significant delays and bureaucratic obstacles in receiving compensation despite government allocations of £11.8 billion. Over 30,000 victims have been recognized, yet only a small fraction have been compensated, with just 460 awards granted and only around 3 percent of allocated funds paid out. The Infected Blood Inquiry, led by Sir Brian Langstaff, has sharply criticized the slow and opaque compensation process, highlighting the emotional toll on victims and families, some of whom have died waiting for justice. Families of victims, such as the Conwells, express deep frustration and despair over the government's handling, describing it as unfair and disgraceful. Advocacy groups like the Haemophilia Society and the Hepatitis C Trust emphasize the stripping of dignity from victims and call for urgent government action to ensure a faster, fairer, and more transparent compensation system. The inquiry warns that repeated mistakes and lack of victim consultation have further harmed those affected and eroded trust in the compensation authority.