
Since 2010, I have campaigned to uncover the truth about the NHS Infected Blood scandal and secure justice for its thousands of victims. Having fought for the Infected Blood Public Inquiry announced in 2017, more recently I organised the historic vote in the Commons on 4 December 2023 to speed up progress on compensation for those infected and affected - defeating the then Government. Now due to the rules of Parliament, as a Minister in the new Government, I can now only speak in the Commons Chamber on issues relating to my new ministerial role at the Home Office. Also, I can no longer be a member of All-Party Parliamentary Groups of backbench MPs. This is why, whilst I attended the recent Statement on Infected Blood in the Commons on 26 July, I was unable to ask any questions. In this Parliament, I will now have a different way of operating in representing constituents and pursuing campaigns. I will be handing over my formal role on the APPG on Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood to my excellent friend Clive Efford MP.
Although I will not be 'bobbing' at Prime Minister's Questions or asking Business Questions on the floor of the House, please be assured that this cause is one in which I continue to take a close interest. I am pleased that since the publication of the final report of the six-year Infected Blood Inquiry on 20 May, the new Government and the previous one have both stated their commitment to ensuring justice, with a compensation scheme established this year. Following the report from the Cabinet Office on 16 August, complex and detailed work is now underway on the infected blood compensation scheme. Ensuring fair compensation for those infected and affected is the final step on the long road to justice. This objective remains as close to my heart as it has been throughout the past 14 years.