INFECTED blood scandal victims’ families will be able to apply for £100,000 in compensation from October, the government confirmed today.

Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds reiterated the government’s “deep and heartfelt” apology to the victims as he told the Commons that the new Labour government will meet the compensation deadlines set out under the previous Conservative administration.

He said: “The infected blood scandal is an injustice that has spanned across decades on an unprecedented scale.

“Thousands of people have died, and continue sadly to die every week. Lives have been shattered and the voices of victims ignored for decades.

“People have watched their loved ones die and in one of the most chilling aspects that the inquiry brought to light, children were used as objects of research.”

More than 30,000 people were infected with deadly viruses between the 1970s and early 1990s as they received blood transfusions or blood products while having NHS care.

As of June 30, interim payments of more than £1 billion have been made to patients infected with contaminated blood products and bereaved partners, a total of 4,606 recipients.

A report from the infected blood scandal inquiry found it “could largely have been avoided,” and that there was a “pervasive” cover-up to hide the truth.

It suggested the government should introduce a “statutory duty of accountability on senior civil servants for the candour and completeness of advice given to permanent secretaries and ministers, and the candour and completeness of their response to concerns raised by members of the public and staff.”

Jason Evans, director of the Factor 8 victims’ campaign group, said: “Today’s announcement is a welcome step forward, honouring the commitments we were able to secure in the Victims & Prisoners Bill earlier this year.

“Bereaved families have waited far too long to see any compensation, with the Infected Blood Inquiry recommending these interim payments in April 2023.

“We will be encouraging the relevant authorities to ensure these payments are made as quickly as possible and do all we can to assist the Infected Blood Compensation Authority as it gears up to make final payments."

Mr Thomas-Symonds also said the government will be bringing forward legislation on duty of candour for public officials “as soon as we can,” as a “collective package” with other commitments including a public advocate and legal representation at inquests for families of victims of disasters such as Hillsborough.