IR2-6 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Categories of Loss and Award Heads

Recommendation

I recommend that the appropriate award in any case should be composed under the following categories of loss, applicable to both eligible infected and affected persons: a) an Injury Impact Award for past and future physical and mental injury, emotional distress and injury to feelings caused by the infection and treatments for it, or (whilst not being personally infected) being affected by them or by the death of an eligible infected person (including, as part of this, an award for loss of society of the deceased); b) a Social Impact Award for past and future social consequences of the infection including stigma and social isolation; c) an Autonomy Award as additional redress for the distress and suffering caused by the impact of the disease, including interference with family and private life, including where relevant: personal autonomy, loss of marriage/partnership prospects, loss of chance to have children. It should include sums for the aggravated distress caused by interferences in their autonomy and private life such as lack of informed consent, lack of sufficient information about the risks of treatment, and about diagnosis, treatment and testing, or being the subject of research without their informed consent. It should include the effects of lack of candour and inadequate responses by authority. d) a Care Award for the future care needs of the eligible infected person, and to compensate for past losses in respect of care necessitated by their infection (to be paid directly to the infected person where they have paid for care, and/or directly to an affected person who has provided care); and e) a Financial Loss Award for past and future financial losses suffered as a result of the infection.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the official government response (2025-07-21), the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme incorporates the five recommended categories of award: Injury Impact Award, Social Impact Award, Autonomy Award, Care Award, and Financial Loss Award. According to the official government response (2025-07-21), these award categories are available to both eligible infected and affected persons through core and supplementary routes. According to the official government response (2025-07-21), the Care Award is routed through the person with an infection for speed and simplicity.
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
Accepted UK Government Initial Response
17 Dec 2024

With respect to recommendation 6 of the Second Interim Report, the Government has accepted the Inquiry's recommended categories of award, and has therefore designed the Scheme to award compensation to include the following: Injury Impact Award; Social Impact Award; Autonomy Award; Care Award; and Financial Loss Award. The Government has deviated slightly from the exact recommendation, as in the interest of speed and simplicity, the Care Award is routed through the person with an infection or their estate to distribute.

Read Full Response
Accepted UK Government Follow-up
14 May 2025

The compensation scheme incorporates the five categories of award: Injury Impact Award, Social Impact Award, Autonomy Award, Care Award, and Financial Loss Award. These are available to both infected and affected persons through the core and supplementary routes.

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Progress Timeline
Official Report
17 Dec 2024

Award categories implemented in scheme structure.

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.

Reasonable Progress
19 Jan 2026
UK Parliament legislation

Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2024-26 ("Hillsborough Law") introduced September 2025, passed Commons January 2026, progressing through Lords. Creates statutory duty of candour for public authorities with criminal sanctions.

Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2024-26 View Source
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
Good Progress
31 Dec 2025
UK Parliament legislation

Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 established IBCA. Three sets of scheme regulations in force (Aug 2024, Mar 2025, Dec 2025). First payments December 2024. £1.89bn paid to 2,861 people by January 2026.

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 20… 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
Good Progress
22 Jul 2025
IBCA Community Update Other

Infected Blood Compensation Authority established August 2024. First claims for deceased infected/affected opened December 2025. IBCA accepted all 11 recommendations directed to them.

IBCA Community Update, July 2025 View Source
Source
Report Second Interim Report 05 Apr 2023
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Recommendation age 3.0 yrs
Last formal update 14 May 2025