JUST 10 of the 4,000 contaminated blood scandal victims have received compensation under a new scheme, campaigners said today.

More than 30,000 people contracted HIV and hepatitis and thousands have died following blood transfusions or treatments made from contaminated products in the 1970s and ’80s.

In a damning inquiry report published in May, Judge Brian Langstaff found that the scandal could have been avoided and recommended a better compensation scheme with larger payouts. But by this month, just 17 people out of the thousands eligible had been invited to register for compensation, campaigners say.

Groups representing victims met government officials dealing with claims last week, but told the Observer newspaper they were treated like a nuisance.

Tainted Blood campaign group chairman Andrew Evans, who contracted HIV aged 12 from contaminated blood, said: “When the infected blood inquiry published its final report, the entire community breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“Since then, we have been disengaged by the government and the goalposts have been drastically moved to the point where now, just before Christmas, only a quarter of 1 per cent of the infected have been offered compensation.

“Our battle, rather than ceasing, has intensified. The community, already heavily traumatised, is at breaking point."

Kevin Roberts, 52, another victim who gave evidence to the inquiry, said: “I was infected with hepatitis A, B and C and have not received a single penny.

“We think they are going to drip money to us as slowly as possible. I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Nick Thomas-Symonds, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, said the government is determined to deliver justice to the victims of the infected blood scandal.

He added that the budget allocated £11.8bn for the victims and final payments have started to be made.