Letter from Chair of the Inquiry asks for prompt action to address concerns about financial support
The Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, has written to the Cabinet Office drawing attention to the current financial support schemes that see infected and affected people across the UK paid widely varying amounts of financial assistance or having difficulty in accessing funds.
In his letter to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, David Lidington MP, Sir Brian acknowledges the level of sentiment and anger expressed to him at the preliminary hearings in September from those infected and affected.
In his letter Sir Brian says:
“Throughout the hearings there were repeated calls for financial assistance that fully recompenses individuals and families for the losses they have suffered...decisive action should be taken at the earliest opportunity.”
The letter also notes the lack of desire among core participants for the Minister to appoint panel members alongside the Chair and asks the Cabinet Office to confirm that he does not intend to appoint them. It reiterates the Inquiry’s intention that the Inquiry’s expert groups will provide transparent and open advice to Sir Brian across a range of expert opinion.
The full text of the letter can be found here.