HIV Eligibility Start Date
An amendment to the Regulations be made as soon as possible to remove the reference to 1 January 1982 from Regulation 3.
- A consultation on proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme was opened on 24 November 2025, covering this and other regulatory amendments (Consultation: Proposed Changes to the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, Cabinet Office, November 2025).
- The regulatory amendment had not been made as of March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedIn his oral evidence to the Inquiry, the Minister for the Cabinet Office agreed to look again at the Scheme's eligibility criteria for people infected with HIV. The Inquiry went on to recommend that the scheme should be open to those who were infected with HIV before 1982. The Government commits to amend the scheme to remove the 1982 start date, meaning anyone infected with HIV because of treatment with infected blood or blood products will be eligible for compensation, irrespective of the year they were infected. Whilst there will be no start date for eligibility to the scheme, the financial loss award requires a date of first possible infection (for instances where a specific date cannot be identified). In these cases the date will mirror the start date for Hepatitis which is 1952. The Inquiry's Report noted that doing this was 'unlikely to give rise to any injustice'.
Progress Timeline
14 April 2026 update: Government response to consultation on proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme (CP 1565) states: "We will make sure that everyone who was eligible for SCM or an equivalent payment through the Infected Blood Support Schemes (IBSS) receives additional financial loss and care compensation so that the existing acknowledgement of the impact their infection had on their day-to-day life is properly compensated. Following the consultation, we agree that everyone in this position should have the award fully backdated to 2017 (when the SCM award was first introduced) regardless of when they were assessed. We will make sure that living people who were not given a chance to apply for SCM can apply for it through the Scheme." Regulations to implement these changes will be brought forward later in 2026. Sources: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-infected-blood-compensation-scheme-will-improve-support-for-victims; https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69ddf5fd7e2086c62da2f152/Government_response_to_consultation_on_proposed_changes_to_the_infected_blood_compensation_scheme__PDF_.pdf
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
As of 13 January 2026: 3,721 people asked to start claims, 3,546 begun process, 3,074 received offers totalling £2.47bn, 2,861 paid totalling £1.89bn. Third compensation regulations in force 31 December 2025.
View detailed findings
IBCA exceeded initial expectations. Three sets of regulations now in force covering infected persons, affected persons, and supplementary routes. £11.8bn committed in October 2024 Budget. Independent review found "very creditable progress."
IBCA has contacted 2,215 people to begin compensation claims; 1,934 started process. £812m+ paid via Horizon Shortfall Scheme. £11.8bn committed in Autumn Budget.
View detailed findings
IBCA exceeded expectations for first cohort and established operational service with "compassionate ethos." Target: bulk of infected payments by 2027, affected by 2029. Third compensation scheme regulations came into law 31 December 2025.