The government has announced progress on the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, confirming that victims will begin receiving compensation before the end of the year. Victims of the infected blood scandal will also be entitled to financial support for life. 

Announcing the updated compensation scheme, the government said there would also be additional payments for victims of the scandal who were subjected to "unethical research”. 

Richard Angell, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "We welcome the speed at which the new government has made progress on delivering more details on Infected Blood Compensation. The retention of the Infected Blood Support Schemes for life will be a relief to those who were infected and the widows of those who have sadly died as a result of this scandal.

I am relieved that the government has committed to the recommendations made on legal support by Sir Robert Francis KC, the Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority. This will give victims the support they need to make informed choices. For a group of people who were misled for decades over their treatment, this is vitally important.

The government faces a challenge not just to deliver compensation at speed but also to get the details of the compensation package right. At Terrence Higgins Trust we will keep pushing so that no-one infected or affected with HIV because of this scandal is left behind."