In what has long been described as the worst healthcare scandal in the history of the NHS, the UK government’s response to the infected blood scandal has taken a major and long-awaited step forward. In July 2025, significant reforms were announced to the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, marking a turning point in the UK Government’s attempts to deliver justice to those affected by contaminated blood products between the 1970s and 1990s.
This update doesn’t just tweak a compensation process - it radically widens the circle of eligibility, reinforces the permanence of claims beyond death, and affirms ministers’ stated goal to "restore trust in the state." For victims and their families, it signals something they’ve long fought for: recognition, redress, and the right to be heard.
A history of harm - and delay
Between the 1970s and 1990s, over 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or co-infections, after receiving contaminated blood or blood products during NHS treatment. Thousands have since died, and many more have suffered lifelong health issues, financial hardship, and emotional trauma.
The Infected Blood Inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, has been instrumental in uncovering the scale of the injustice and the institutional failings that allowed it to persist. In the wake of its findings, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) was established to implement compensation payments. However, the initial rollout of the scheme was slow and limited in scope, operating on an “invite-only” basis and failing to fully reflect the complexity of the harms suffered. These failings have now been addressed following a raft of important updates.
What’s changing - and why it matters
The changes announced in July 2025 represent a major shift in both the practical and symbolic reach of the compensation scheme. The key changes include:
- Claims can now be passed on through estates: If an affected individual dies before 31 December 2031, their claim will not die with them. This is a monumental shift. It acknowledges that justice delayed should not be justice denied and offers grieving families the financial recognition they deserve.
- Widened eligibility: The scheme now includes individuals infected with HIV prior to 1982, a group previously excluded despite clear evidence of harm. A new registration process will also be launched, allowing individuals to proactively signal their intent to claim rather than waiting for an invitation. This is an enormous procedural improvement that could open the door for tens of thousands still waiting in limbo.
- Increased compensation for hepatitis C sufferers: Those living with chronic hepatitis C will now receive higher compensation to reflect the enduring and severe impact of the illness.
- Reinstatement of support payments for bereaved partners: Until full compensation is awarded, bereaved partners will continue to receive interim financial support, recognising their long-term suffering.
- Review of compensation for unethical medical research and psychological harm: There will be further consultation on awarding compensation for unethical research practices and the severe psychological impact endured by victims- another sign that the scheme is evolving to reflect the full breadth of the crisis and its legacy.
The numbers: tip of the iceberg?
To date, only 2,215 individuals - just 7.3% of the estimated 30,000 infected (excluding affected victims) - have been invited to claim compensation. Of those, fewer than 600 have received payments. While over £600 million in offers have been made, the scope of compensation is expected to rise significantly under the widened scheme. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already allocated £11.8 billion, with an additional £1 billion expected to be added in the upcoming Autumn Budget.
This commitment signals that the government is finally preparing to deliver a response commensurate with the scale of the injustice.
A legal perspective: righting historical wrongs
As highlighted previously by Thorntons, the infected blood scandal was not merely a tragic accident - it was a catastrophic failure of oversight, transparency, and accountability. The legal and ethical duty to compensate victims and families is rooted in this failure. As such, the compensation scheme is not a gesture of goodwill; it will right a historic wrong that should have never occurred in a just healthcare system.
The extension of eligibility and the decision to allow claims to continue posthumously are significant because they reflect a deeper understanding of this duty. For too long, victims and their families have felt that their suffering was being managed administratively rather than recognised fully. These reforms go some way to addressing that perception.
Restoring trust and rebuilding lives
In announcing these changes, Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds stated that the government’s goal is to “restore trust in the state.” The significance of that goal cannot be understated. For decades, victims have felt abandoned by the very institutions that were supposed to protect them. The Infected Blood Inquiry exposed systemic failings, cover-ups, and a lack of accountability at the highest levels. Rebuilding trust means more than paying money - it means listening to victims, acting transparently, and doing what is right even when it is costly.
The IBCA’s new commitments include public sharing of operational plans and data, ensuring that the process is no longer hidden behind closed doors. According to David Foley, Interim Chief Executive of the IBCA, the authority intends to issue first payments for all groups, including affected family members, by the end of 2025.
What happens next?
A new registration process will soon be available, replacing the present “invite only” system and putting more power in the hands of those affected. Legal practitioners representing victims should be prepared to assist clients in this process swiftly once timelines and application criteria are confirmed.
It’s important to manage expectations, however. While this announcement marks real progress, it is unlikely that widespread payments and resolution will be achieved before 2026. That said, the scheme’s increased transparency and accountability marks a major breakthrough.
For those who have already received compensation that is later deemed insufficient, a formal review process will also be introduced, helping to ensure fairness.
A final thought
This is more than a compensation scheme. It is a long-overdue act of justice which recognises victims and promises to do right by them. The government’s decision to expand eligibility, keep claims alive after death, and address psychological and systemic harm not only acknowledges the suffering of families, but also provides a sense of dignity.
As a firm, we stand with the victims and families of the infected blood scandal. We are ready to support those seeking compensation under the revised scheme and will continue to advocate for a process that is fair, transparent, and grounded in respect for the human stories behind every claim.
If you or a loved one has been affected, now is the time to act. Contact a member of Thorntons Personal Injury team for specialist legal guidance on 0800 731 8434.
