The government is ready to pay compensation to those affected by the tainted blood scandal if an ongoing public inquiry recommends it, Matt Hancock said.
The Infected Blood Investigation examines how thousands of patients became infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s.
At least 3,000 people have died and many have been left with severe disabilities in what has been called the worst treatment disaster in NHS history.
Mr Hancock told the inquest on Friday that the resolution of the issue of financial support and compensation was “long overdue.”
He said: “If the recommendations of the inquiry are about compensation, then of course we will pay compensation.
“Sir Robert Francis’ review on compensation is there so the government can respond quickly to this. “
The government announced Thursday that Sir Robert Francis QC, who chaired the inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS trust scandal, had been appointed to study compensation options.
Some of those affected are already receiving payments through the infected blood support program in England. The program has proven controversial due to a cut-off point that refuses to compensate anyone infected after 1991.
Earlier this year, The independent revealed that a victim had filed a judicial review against the government to challenge the deadline.
The health secretary also gave the investigation his “pledge” that anyone already receiving child support would continue to receive it for life.
Mr Hancock told the inquest on Friday that the government had a “moral responsibility” to tackle the impact of the scandal, adding: “I think solving this problem, all this tragedy and all that it has left behind, is long overdue ”.
Des Collins, a senior partner at Collins Solicitors and legal counsel to more than 1,500 people affected by the scandal, said: “My clients will breathe a huge sigh of relief tonight.
“It may have taken around 40 years, but for the first time today we heard the UK government pledge to pay compensation to those infected and affected by this huge scandal, if it were recommended to do so when the investigation pays off. Well done, Mr Hancock, for doing the right thing.
“We are now moving forward with renewed positivity and intend to work closely with Sir Robert and his team to achieve a just and lasting result. “
The independent inquiry into the tainted blood scandal was launched in 2019 and is led by former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff.
Two previous investigations, the latest ending in 2015, were brand laundering by activists. In 2019, victims expressed fears of cover-up after hundreds of documents relating to the scandal were discovered which had been withdrawn by government officials and reported missing.
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