Effective Treatment - Earnings Floor
For the calculation of Financial Loss awards for Hepatitis B, people born after 1953 should be treated like those born in or before 1953 on provision of evidence that their health did not improve or that it remained difficult to find work from 2009. For the calculation of Financial Loss awards for Hepatitis C, people born after 1961 should be treated like those born in or before 1961 on provision of evidence that their health did not improve or that it remained difficult to find work from 2017.
- A consultation on proposed changes to the infected blood compensation scheme was opened on 24 November 2025 (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
AcceptedThe Government acknowledges the concerns raised by the Inquiry regarding the calculation of financial loss awards for individuals with Hepatitis B or C. Currently the amount awarded is determined partially by reference to the introduction of effective treatments and the possibility of returning to employment following these treatments. The Government has accepted the Inquiry's recommendation that the scheme should offer a route through which individuals can show that they were unable to return to work, or unable to work at the assumed level, even after the introduction of effective treatments. The Government will remove the earnings floor on the supplementary route Exceptional Loss award for financial loss to make sure that a route is available for infected persons to do this.
Progress Timeline
14 April 2026 update: Government response (CP 1565) states: "As we proposed, we will remove the 25% deduction applied to past Care compensation for people who choose to receive support scheme payments for life. Following the consultation, we will make sure that people receive past Financial Loss compensation based on whichever of the two ways to calculate this award is most financially beneficial for them." 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.