Financial Loss and Care
"x" be removed from the equation set out in Regulation 7.
- 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).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartThe Inquiry has raised concerns regarding the calculation of past care and financial loss awards for those who choose to continue receiving support scheme payments. The Inquiry has recommended that a formula in the regulations be changed to address its concerns. However, the Inquiry's recommended change would only change the calculation of past care, and not past financial loss. The Inquiry has recommended removing the 25% discount for living claimants who choose to receive support scheme payments. However removing the discount for this group only would lead to differences of treatment between the living and the deceased in respect of past care. The Government accepts the need for a change to the scheme in this area but for these reasons plans to consult on what would be the most appropriate set of changes to make.
Progress Timeline
14 April 2026 update: Government response (CP 1565) introduces an Exceptional Loss uplift: "Following the consultation, we are introducing a compensation uplift of £60,000 for people who had entered, or had an offer to enter, a higher-earning career but were unable to progress in this career due to their infection. This award will be available through the supplementary route and will come in addition to Financial Loss awards paid through the core route. People will not need to show an actual salary offer or earnings, instead IBCA will determine whether a given career would have generally paid at least 10% higher than the gross national median average earnings. If so, a person would automatically be eligible for the £60,000 award." 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.