Over £829 million in social security payments providing boost for families
The families of more than 329,000 children under 16 are benefitting from Scottish Child Payment, latest statistics show.
The weekly payment of £26.70, which is unique to Scotland, is helping families with the cost of living crisis, with over £677 million paid since the payment launched.
Scottish Child Payment is part of a wider package of payments – including the three Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods – which together have provided over £829 million in vital financial support at key stages of a child’s life.
There is no cap on the number of children in one family who can receive these payments.
In a survey, also released today, the majority of families said that the payments helped their child to take part in social or educational opportunities and also helped them buy milk and healthy food for their children.
Survey responses also suggest that families are finding it straightforward to apply with more than 90% of people noting the application was clear and did not take too long to complete.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As the First Minister has set out, eradicating child poverty is the number one priority for the Scottish Government.
“Scottish Child Payment plays a key part in that mission. Together with our Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods payments, this package of financial support, which is worth almost £25,000 per child by the time their child turns 16, is helping to make sure all children in Scotland get the best start in life.
“We have provided over £829 million to help people raise their families, putting money into the pockets of people who need it most.
“This crucial cash is available as soon expectant parents know they are pregnant all the way through to their child starting nursery, then going to primary and secondary school and helps them cover costs of caring for their children.
“We know from our recent research that families say the application process is clear and doesn’t take too long to apply. So I would urge families to apply for our package of five family payments and get the money they are entitled to.”
Software to reduce hospital waiting times and enhance operating theatre efficiency will be rolled out in NHS boards across Scotland over the next year.
Developed by clinician-led tech company Infix, the national theatre scheduling tool improved operating room efficiency by up to 25% without the need for extra medical staff or additional theatres during successful pilots across three health boards. It also enabled the completion of additional operations for patients which resulted in significant financial savings.
The platform will now support all NHS Boards to increase productivity, remove paper processes, and reduce the overall administrative burden in the creation and approval of theatre lists, which can delay patient treatment.
In a speech in Edinburgh later today, Health Secretary Neil Gray will outline the role of innovation and collaboration in the future of Scotland’s health service.
He said: “Better use of data and digital technology is critical to how we drive improvements in healthcare and is a key part of our plans to reform services.
“This technology is backed by more than five years’ worth of NHS operating times data and is just one of the initiatives that will help enable us to schedule 1.5 million procedures per year – while improving data quality to help safely increase productivity. This will help maximise capacity, build greater resilience and reduce waiting lists.
“Reducing the administrative burden on staff will give them more time to spend on patient care. This is a shining example of how we are embracing cutting edge tools to tackle the challenges facing health and social care.”
The law surrounding the misuse of pyrotechnics at football will be the focus of a new short-life working group set up by the Scottish Government.
The group will consider the evidence on, and possible barriers to, the use of Football Banning Orders as a penalty for pyrotechnic possession and misuse.
It is already a criminal offence to take or try to take a pyrotechnic into football matches, while carrying pyrotechnics in public without a reasonable excuse was recently made an offence through the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. The Act gives police powers to stop and search someone where they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person may be in possession of a pyrotechnic in a public place.
Football Banning Orders (FBOs) can be imposed by a Court for up to ten years for violent offences at matches, which could include throwing a lit pyrotechnic as a weapon. The working group will consider if extending the scope of FBOs would be an effective way to further deter the carrying and misuse of pyrotechnics at football.
The expert working group includes representation from the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and Scottish Football Association, Football Safety Officers Association, Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and is expected to report next year.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of a football match without the fear of serious injury from pyrotechnics.
“We have considerably strengthened pyrotechnic laws, and those who carry fireworks and pyrotechnics in public and into football stadia can face fines and up to six months in prison. Despite this, pyrotechnic misuse at football matches remains an issue.
“We have been working closely with football’s governing authorities and with police on what more can be done to stop this antisocial and dangerous behaviour at football matches.
“Football Banning Orders of up to 10 years, are already an effective measure courts have at their disposal to deal with violent behaviour and I have asked this working group to consider whether extending their reach would be a further deterrent to pyrotechnic possession and misuse.
“Consisting of representatives from football and the justice sector, their review will also take views from clubs, fan groups, as well as front-line services.”
Calum Beattie Chief Operating Officer of the SPFL, said: “The dangers of pyrotechnics in crowded football stadia are significant and our clubs are keen to work with the Scottish Government, police and the courts to find meaningful ways of tackling this growing problem.
“Recent surveys have also shown that most fans believe there is no place for these devices at games. We are looking forward to playing an active role in this group to examine further how football banning orders can form part of a package of deterrence for any fans tempted to smuggle these dangerous items into grounds.”
Superintendent Chris Stewart of Police Scotland said: “The public have the right to feel safe when they attend football matches and we work with a range of partners, including the clubs, to make sure these events are safe and secure.
“We will engage with the review and support partners involved.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray has opened the NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre at Clydebank’s Golden Jubilee University National Hospital.
The custom-built centre provides state-of-the-art training and education facilities to practitioners including an array of advanced simulators.
Designed and run by the NHS Scotland Academy – a partnership between NHS Education for Scotland and NHS Golden Jubilee – the centre replicates real-world environments where learners can hone their skills in a safe, controlled setting.
During its first year of operation it’s expected that the centre will train more than 800 healthcare staff, helping to accelerate training for in-demand areas of the NHS workforce.
For example, nurses will be able to develop their operating theatre skills, previously learnt in a year, in just six months. The centre will also support large scale diagnostic training for Endoscopy and other vital clinical skills.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Harnessing the latest technology is an important part of our plan to reform and recover Scotland’s NHS. It’s exciting to see how the innovations in the Skills and Simulation Centre will be used to accelerate training skills by providing unprecedented hands-on experience.
“The NHS workforce is our greatest asset and that is why it’s so important to invest in their training and development. Quicker and more effective training will help to improve diagnostic accuracy and therefore patient outcomes as well as address workforce pressures and aid retention of staff across NHS Scotland.”
Director of NHS Scotland Academy, Learning and Innovation, Kevin Kelman said: “We are absolutely thrilled today to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to formally open our brand new Skills and Simulation Centre as part of the NHS Scotland Academy.
“As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the NHS Scotland Academy remains committed to fostering innovation and excellence in health and social care education.
“The launch of the Skills and Simulation Centre reaffirms its position at the forefront of medical training, empowering the future NHS workforce to deliver safe, effective and person-centred care to all.”
Since the NHS Scotland Academy’s launch in 2021, more than 12,000 clinical and non-clinical staff have undertaken training through their programmes and dedicated online resources.
School libraries across Scotland are set to benefit from a £150,000 funding boost for projects supporting literacy, numeracy and mental health support, as part of the 2024/25 School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).
The national funding programme, administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) on behalf of the Scottish Government, supports creative and innovative projects within the school library sector.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, announced the launch of the fund during a visit to Leith Primary School on Wednesday (22 May) where she officially opened the newly refurbished school library.
Ms Gilruth said: “School libraries have an important role in inspiring children and young people to read for pleasure, while providing vital access to resources that support learning and helps to close the poverty-related attainment gap.
“I’m very grateful to the staff here at Leith Primary School for showing me around their new refurbished library, which I have no doubt will be of huge benefits to the pupils here.
“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that our school libraries continue to grow and thrive, which is why I am delighted to announce £150,000 of investment from the Scottish Government through the School Library Improvement Fund.
“This year’s fund will support more creative and innovative projects that align with our commitment to improve both literacy and numeracy across Scotland’s schools.”
Available to all state-run nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools in Scotland, the 2024-25 fund will prioritise project applications which support the key aims of ‘Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools’ – the national strategy for the development of school libraries in Scotland.
A particular focus will be put on three key priorities of the strategy:
promoting literacy and numeracy (especially targeting 4-8 year olds)
information and media literacy
mental health support
The 2024/25 SLIF brings the total investment from the Scottish Government to £1.85m over the lifetime of the funding scheme.
Last year, SLIF supported anti-racism and racial equality projects, including the creation of a ‘Holistic Inclusion Hub’ to help parents and pupils from diverse backgrounds feel more included in the school community in Edinburgh; changes to the curriculum in Inverclyde to teach pupils Black, Asian and minority ethnic history as part of learning on local, historical links to slavery; and a new ‘Lending Library’ scheme in East Ayrshire designed to support families who have recently arrived from Ukraine, Poland and Russia.
Grants were also awarded to a series of initiatives specifically aimed at English as an Additional Language (EAL) school communities, including the ‘Traditional Tales – Story Gathering with Roma Communities’ project in Glasgow, created in partnership with local community organisation Romano Lav, to improve the literacy skills of children from the Roma community.
Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of SLIC, said: “School libraries play a central role in helping children and young people gain the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for learning, life and work. They ensure every young person has the chance to fulfil their full potential with equal access for all.
“From physical and digital resources to collaborative workshops and initiatives, SLIF grants can help school libraries improve and expand the services they offer to empower their pupils, staff and the community around them.
“We would encourage every nursery, primary and secondary school to consider how they can help lead the way in developing our school library services and apply for a SLIF grant today.”
Schools can apply as an individual or collaborative application, with SLIC accepting up to two individual applications per local authority and an unlimited number of collaborative applications, to ensure equal opportunities across Scotland.
The School Library Improvement Fund 2024-25 is now open. Applications will close on Wednesday 4 September 2024.
First Minister John Swinney has declared the priorities that his government will focus on as part of his vision to deliver for all of Scotland.
The Scottish Government will focus on four areas targeted to have the most immediate benefits for people in their everyday lives. They are:
Eradicating child poverty
Growing the economy
Tackling the climate emergency
Improving public services
In order for work to be prioritised immediately, the First Minister confirmed he will present his first Programme for Government before the Scottish Parliament’s summer recess.
He also committed to work with Members across the chamber to realise Scotland’s potential, in the spirit of the opening of Parliament 25 years ago.
The First Minister said: “In setting out my approach to government, I am acutely aware of the economic and fiscal realities we face.
“With that important context, today, I will outline the four priorities that will guide my government’s decisions on policy and budget; the four priorities around which I will work to secure cross-party support, for the good of the people of Scotland.
“Eradicating child poverty, growing the economy and tackling the climate emergency all link together to support my fourth key priority – to improve Scotland’s public services – not as a cost, but as a vital investment in our future health, equality and prosperity.
“I will set out how my government and my cabinet will take practical steps to deliver in these four areas of priority when I present my Programme for Government before the summer recess.
“The Programme for Government will be central to a wider range of decision-making that will happen before the summer on key issues on energy, on oil and gas, on reform of the health service and on taxation. Action will be set out on each, tackling the challenges facing Scotland today.”
The date for Programme for Government will be confirmed in due course, subject to Parliamentary timetable.
£16M funding to expand access to childcare services
First Minister John Swinney has announced £16 million for childcare services to help deliver his vision of a Scotland free from child poverty.
In a statement to Parliament, the First Minister set out the four priorities that will underpin the work of his government. He said eradicating child poverty would be his government’s single most important objective.
Over the next two years, the Scottish Government will provide additional funding to expand access to childcare services within six Early Adopter Community (EAC) projects.
The funding will allow expansion into to new communities, including in Fife and Shetland, and inform what childcare should look like for younger children. The investment will support the development of local childcare systems that are designed to meet families’ needs, with funding targeted at those who are most at risk of living in poverty.
Earlier yesterday, the First Minister visited a breakfast club at Capshard Primary School in Kirkcaldy to see the impact of innovative school age childcare services which contribute to the eradication of child poverty and grow the economy, by helping parents and carers access the childcare they need to find and sustain good jobs.
Speaking in parliament, the First Minister said: “In modern Scotland, it should not be a struggle to find fair work or to raise a family. So for me, and for my government, eradicating child poverty and boosting economic growth, go hand in hand.
“Over the next two years, we will invest £16 million to tackle poverty and help families, by expanding access to childcare services within six Early Adopter Community projects.
“This investment will support low income families to enter and sustain employment, with funding targeted at those who are most at risk of living in poverty.”
Residential rehabilitation projects among those awarded £3.6 million
Fourteen drugs support projects, which will help save and improve lives as part of the Scottish Government’s National Mission on Drugs, have been awarded funding which will ensure key frontline services continue to support those dealing with problematic drug use.
Ten projects will receive continuation funding of £2.6 million, with four new residential rehabilitation initiatives receiving £1 million.
The awards will allow organisations providing residential rehabilitation to hire staff to provide more in-depth support to people as they transition from rehab, develop a new women’s recovery house and upgrade existing properties.
Visiting Crossreach’s Residential Recovery Service in Glasgow, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said: “This funding and these projects are helping to save and improve lives across Scotland.
“It will support a wide range of initiatives, from rescuing vulnerable people from having their homes and lives taken over by drug-dealing ‘cuckooing’ gangs, to supporting outdoor recovery programmes and expanding recovery cafes.
“It will support a wide range of initiatives, from rescuing vulnerable people from having their homes and lives taken over by drug-dealing ‘cuckooing’ gangs, to supporting outdoor recovery programmes and expanding recovery cafes.
“It also includes a very significant investment in developing residential rehabilitation services. Increasing access, and improving these services is another key part of our National Mission and we’re well on our way to our target of increasing the number of statutory funded placements to 1000 by 2026.”
Crossreach will use an award of £357,816 to employ two new staff members to improve aftercare provision at its Glasgow residential rehabilitation facility.
Director for Adult Care Vic Walker said: “This funding, across three years, will allow us to maintain support to people as they transition back into the community after completing a residential rehab programme.
“Practical and emotional support will be offered, as they link with an assertive aftercare worker and access counselling.
“We know that this type of support is crucial, as they enter the next stage of their recovery journey, leaving the supportive environment of the rehabilitation service and establishing themselves back into their local community. We will help people to use the knowledge and skills gained in rehab, as they access activities and services.”
Carolyn Sawers, chief executive of Corra, which has made more than 300 National Mission grant awards to organisations across Scotland, said: “Corra’s vision is for a society where people can create positive change and enjoy fulfilling lives.
“With £3.6 million going to 14 organisations through the National Drugs Mission Fund, we will see real impact for communities across Scotland. We are pleased to see four new residential rehabilitation services receive funding, taking a people-first approach that’s built on compassion, relationships, and rights.”
Communities will receive a share of up to £5.5 million Scottish Government funding to help reduce their emissions and improve resilience in the face of climate change.
The funding, for 2024-25, will support Scotland’s network of 20 Community Climate Action Hubs, which encourage and support climate action. Based across Scotland, the Hubs have supported a range of projects bespoke to their area, including on local energy generation and flood mitigation.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan confirmed the funding during a visit to the North East Scotland Climate Action Network (NESCAN) Hub in Aberdeen.
One of the original two hubs that successfully piloted the concept in 2021, the NESCAN Hub has delivered climate assemblies to schools, climate literacy sessions to the local community, supported repair cafes to increase local reuse and recycling rates and provided advice and support around tackling fuel poverty by improving energy efficiency for buildings as well as renewable heat and energy generation.
Ms McAllan said: “I am very pleased to hear first-hand how NESCAN Hub’s work has been helping communities in Aberdeen to support climate action through projects tailored to meet the needs and interests of the area.
“Tackling climate change is our collective responsibility and will require collaborative action at all levels. We must also share in the benefits that our net zero journey will bring.
“Communities are uniquely placed to play a critical role in shaping and driving forward the transition to low carbon and climate resilient living and we want to empower people to take action in their neighbourhoods that’s right for them.
“That is why we are proud to continue to support our hugely successful framework of regional climate hubs, which provide a vehicle for communities to come together and engage in collective grass-roots action.”
“Climate action must be locally appropriate and locally driven.”
Communities will receive a share of up to £5.5m @scotgov funding to help reduce their emissions in ways that suit their local circumstances.
— Net Zero Scotland (@ScotGovNetZero) May 21, 2024
NESCAN Hub Manager, Alison Stuart said: “We are proud of the continuing achievements of groups supported by NESCAN Hub. In particular, the ongoing work to help fulfil the residents’ wishes to create a healthier, happier and more sustainable community.
“This will not only support our response to the climate crisis, but also improve wellbeing, help address fuel poverty and increase community capacity, assets and wealth-building.”
Background
The Scottish Government is providing up to £5.5 million of funding in 2024/2025 for its network of Climate Action Hubs alongside a support package for delivery. This is broken down as follows – with some funding still to be allocated
Work is ongoing to ensure national coverage of the hubs.
Organisation
Budget
Angus Climate Hub
£165,000.00
Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network Hub
£145,000.00
Ayrshire Climate Hub
£340,000.00
Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub
£200,000.00
Dundee “Changemakers Hub
£140,000.00
East Lothian Climate Hub
£115,000.00
Edinburgh Climate Action Hub
£350,000.00
Fife Climate Action Hub
£290,000.00
Forth Valley Climate Action Hub
£365,000.00
Glasgow Climate Action Hub
£450,000.00
Highlands & Islands Climate Hub
£437,839.60
Inverclyde Climate Action Hub
£93,500.00
Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub
£480,000.00
Midlothian Climate Action Hub
£125,000.00
Moray Climate Action Hub
£135,000.00
North East Scotland Climate Action Network (NESCAN)
Statement from the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement following the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister spoke about the anguish the infected blood scandal brought to those impacted by it. I want to reiterate his words and apologise again today. I am sorry.
The Prime Minister also spoke – on behalf of the whole house – of our gratitude to Sir Brian Langstaff and his team, for completing his comprehensive report…
I think seven volumes, two and a half thousand pages…
…and of our appreciation of all those who came forward as part of the inquiry.
It was the greatest privilege of my ministerial career to have met over 40 representatives of the infected blood community…
…in Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Belfast, Birmingham and Leeds…
… as we finalised our response to compensation for this appalling tragedy.
The whole community’s bravery through immense suffering is what has enabled justice today…
…I know many of them will be watching in the gallery today….
…and I want to honour their fortitude through their unimaginable pain, as I lay out a more detailed response to Sir Brian’s second interim report on compensation.
We will provide the House with a further opportunity to debate the Inquiry’s full report after the Whitsun recess.
The Government will also respond to each recommendation in full as quickly as possible within its comprehensive response to the report.
Compensation
Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister confirmed yesterday that the Government will pay comprehensive compensation to those who have been infected and affected as a result of this scandal.
I will now set out to the House the scheme the Government is proposing
…. And of course, more details of the scheme will be published online today.
(ALB, Eligibility, Burden of Proof)
We are establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, an arm’s length body to administer the compensation scheme.
A shadow body has already been set up and an interim CEO has been appointed…
…and today I am delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Robert Francis as the interim Chair of the organisation.
The experience and the care that Sir Robert will bring to this role will ensure that the scheme is credible and trusted by the community…
His support in delivering this scheme will be invaluable.
Mr Speaker, those who have been infected or affected – as a result of this scandal – will receive compensation.
To be crystal clear…
…if you have been directly or indirectly infected by NHS blood, blood products or tissue contaminated with HIV or Hepatitis C…
…or have developed a chronic infection from blood contaminated with Hepatitis B …
…you will be eligible to claim compensation under the scheme.
And where an infected person has died, but would have been eligible under these criteria, compensation will be paid to their estate.
And this will include where a person was infected with Hepatitis B and died during the acute period of infection.
But, Mr. Speaker, Sir Brian could not have been clearer.
It’s not just the harm caused by the infections that requires compensation…
…it’s also all the wrongs suffered by those affected that must also be compensated for.
So, when a person with an eligible infection has been accepted onto the scheme…
…their affected loved ones will be able to apply for compensation in their own right.
That means partners, parents, siblings, children and friends and family who have acted as carers of those who were infected are all eligible to claim.
Now I am aware that being asked to provide evidence of eligibility will likely be distressing.
So I am determined to minimise that as much as possible.
And I am pleased to confirm today that anyone already registered with one of the existing Infected Blood Support Schemes will automatically be considered eligible for compensation.
Loss Categories
Mr Speaker, I would like to give thanks to the dedication and hard work of Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery and the other members of the Expert Group…
… who were critical in advising on how the Government could faithfully translate the recommendations of Sir Brian for the scheme.
And in line with our previous commitment, we will publish the names of those experts today.
Now in his report Sir Brian recommended compensation be awarded with respect to the following five categories.
An Injury Impact Award…
…acknowledging the physical and mental injury caused by the infection.
A Social Impact Award…
…to address any stigma or social isolation as a result of the infection.
An Autonomy Award…
… acknowledging how family and private life was disrupted during this time…
A Care Award…
…to compensate for past and future care needs of anyone infected…
And finally, a Financial Loss Award…
…for past and future financial losses suffered as a result of the infection.
The Government accepts this recommendation…
…with two small refinements, informed by the work of the Expert Group, and designed for simplicity and speed. Two other principles that Sir Brian asserted.
First, the Care Award will be directly awarded to the person with the infection…
…or their estate.
And second, the Financial Loss Award will be paid either directly to the person with the infection, or
…where an infected person has tragically died before the establishment of the scheme, their estate and affected persons who were dependent on them…
Now,sadly many people have links to multiple individuals who were infected, or are both infected themselves and affected by another’s infection…
…so multiple injury awards will be offered to reflect the scale of the loss and suffering.
The scheme will be tariff-based. And we will be publishing an explanatory document, including examples of proposed tariffs on gov.uk.
However, Mr Speaker, this is not the end.
Over the next few weeks Sir Robert Francis will seek views from the Infected Blood Community on the proposed scheme before its terms are set in regulations, to make sure that the scheme will best serve those it is intended for.
Now, Sir Robert has welcomed the Government’s proposals as positive and meaningful. He will set out more details on engagement with the community shortly.
Payment Process
The Inquiry recommended that the scheme should be flexible in its award of compensation…
…providing options for a lump sum or regular payments.
We agree, and that is why awards to living infected or affected persons will be offered as a lump sum or periodical payments.
And where the infected person has died, estate representatives will receive compensation as a single lump sum to then distribute to beneficiaries of the estate as is appropriate.
We will also guarantee that any payments made to those eligible will be exempt from income, capital gains and inheritance tax…
…as well as disregarded from means tested benefit assessments.
We will also ensure all claimants are able to appeal their award…
…through both an internal review process in the Infected Blood Compensation Authority…
…and, where needed, the right to appeal to a First-tier tribunal.
And our expectation is that final payments will start before the end of the year.
Now, Mr Speaker, if you would permit, I would like to return to the House when the regulations are laid later this year…
…to make a further statement on an update on the delivery of the compensation scheme.
Support Schemes
But, I know from my discussions with the community just how important the existing Infected Blood support scheme payments are to them.
I recognise that many people sadly rely on these payments …
…and they are rightly keen to understand what the Government’s intentions are.
And I want to provide reassurance to all those out there today…
…that no immediate changes will be made to the support schemes.
Payments will continue to be made at the same level until 31 March 2025…
…and they will not be deducted from any compensation awards.
From the 1st April 2025, any support scheme payments received will be counted towards a beneficiary’s final compensation award.
This will ensure parity between support scheme beneficiaries, regardless of whether they were the first or the last to have their compensation assessed by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.
And we will ensure that no-one…no-one, receives less in compensation than they would have received in support payments.
Interim Payments
Now Mr Speaker, I recognise that members of the infected blood community are still dying each week from their infections.
And there may be people, indeed there will be people listening today…
…who are thinking to themselves that they may not live to receive compensation.
So, I want to address some of those concerns too.
Today I am announcing that the Government will be making further interim payments ahead of the establishment of the full scheme.
Payments of £210,000 will be made to living infected beneficiaries – those registered with existing Infected Blood Support Schemes…
…as well as those who register with a support scheme before the final scheme becomes operational…
…and the estates of those who pass away between now and payments being made.
I know that time is of the essence…
…which is why I am also pleased to say they will be delivered within 90 days, starting in the summer.
….so that they can reach those who need it so urgently most.
Memorial
Mr Speaker, before I conclude, I would like to turn to the matter of memorialisation.
Many of those who were infected by contaminated blood or blood products have since died…
…died without knowing that their suffering and loss would be fully recognised, either in their lifetime or at all.
The lives of most of those who have died remain unrecognised.
And I note Sir Brian’s recommendations on memorialisation across the UK…
…and the Government will address these recommendations in detail as part of our wider response to this report.
Conclusion
So in conclusion, Mr Speaker, I know that the whole House will want to join me in thanking Sir Brian and the Inquiry for the work that they have done…
…and pay tribute to all those who have been caught up in this terrible tragedy and battled for justice for so long.
Yesterday was a day of great humility for everyone implicated by this Inquiry…
…and today, I can only hope – with the Inquiry’s report published, and with our firm commitment to compensate those touched by the scandal – the infected blood community knows their cries for justice have been heard.
Mr Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.
Apology to victims of infected blood scandal
First Minister makes statement in parliament
First Minister John Swinney has formally apologised on behalf of the Scottish government to everyone who has been infected or affected as a result of infected NHS blood or blood products in Scotland.
On Monday, the Infected Blood Inquiry Chair Sir Brian Langstaff made clear in the report that the situation was a result of “systemic, collective, and individual failures”.
The First Minister said: “More than 30,000 people across the UK were infected by contaminated blood products and transfusions between the 1970s and 1991 – with around 3,000 of those here in Scotland.
“That is 3,000 families in Scotland who have faced decades of unnecessary heartbreak and pain. They have been failed by the organisations and process that should have been in place to protect and support them and I am sorry.
“Those infected and impacted by this tragedy have worked tirelessly to ensure that its impact, and their suffering, is not ignored – and to ensure that what they have endured is never repeated.
“People who were infected with HIV or hepatitis as a result of NHS treatment have endured unimaginable suffering, and I know that Infected Blood Inquiry report published yesterday, will not heal wounds nor bring back those love ones who have been lost. I do, however, hope that it is a step forward in the journey towards a semblance of justice and a better future.
“The Scottish Government has already accepted the moral case for compensation for infected blood victims and we are committed to working with the UK Government to ensure any compensation scheme builds on the interim compensation which was paid out in 2022 and works as well as possible for victims.
“The Scottish Government will take forward the Inquiry’s recommendations for Scotland along with charities representing the infected and affected.
“We are determined to use the Inquiry’s report to ensure lessons have been learned so a tragedy like this can never happen again. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service has extremely high standards of blood safety and I would continue to encourage anyone who can do so to give blood, as this remains essential for thousands of patients.”
