Church and Society Commission04 Jul 19

Church and Society Commission calls for action on infected blood compensation

The Church and Society Commission of the Church of Ireland has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, to request an increase in welfare payments for people living in Northern Ireland who have been infected or otherwise affected by blood contamination.

This follows an announcement by the Prime Minister (on 30th April 2019) that the UK Government will increase the financial support for people infected and affected by the scandal who are living in England.  The Prime Minister described blood contamination as ‘a tragedy that should never have happened and has caused unimaginable pain and hurt for victims and their families for decades.’  The increase for people supported by the Northern Ireland Infected Blood Payment Scheme will this year be minimal in comparison to those in the same situation who will benefit from the financial uplift.

In course of its letter, the Commission states: ‘As most of the events being covered by the inquiry relate to a period of direct rule, and this is an issue being dealt with at a national level, then we encourage you to take action. As a church body and remembering the number of times that Our Lord “had compassion” then, at the very least, the same compassion could be shown to those who have suffered from a tragedy that should never have happened.’