IBI-A-6b Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Exceptional Loss Evidence

Recommendation

The Cabinet Office consult on whether the evidential requirements for exceptional reduced earnings are likely to prove a barrier to people who have sufficient evidence that their eligibility for such an award could with confidence be established on a balance of probabilities, and if so to consider what if any provision might be introduced to enable them to access an award.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the official government response of 2025-07-21, the UK Government accepted in principle and committed to consult the community on the evidential requirements for the exceptional loss award, aiming to ensure its accessibility within the framework of the tariff-based scheme. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) was established by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, and by December 2025, according to the IBCA Community Update of 2026-01-15 and IBCA Independent Review of 2025-10-28, three sets of compensation regulations were in force, which define the criteria for such awards. As of January 2026, according to the IBCA Community Update of 2026-01-15, the IBCA had paid £1.89 billion in compensation.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part UK Government
21 Jul 2025

The exceptional loss award which is part of the supplementary route provides additional compensation for those infected people who would have received higher pay if it were not for their infection. The Government commits to consult the community on the evidential requirements to access this award to ensure it is available for those intended within the limits of a tariff based scheme.

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Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
15 Jan 2026
IBCA Community Update Other

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 Community Update, 15 January 2026 View Source
Reasonable Progress
28 Oct 2025
IBCA Independent Review Other

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.

IBCA CO-Sponsored Independent Review Report, Octo… View Source
Source
Report Additional Report on Compensation 09 Jul 2025
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Last formal update 21 Jul 2025