The infected blood compensation scheme is to be extended to bereaved children who have lost one or two parents, Sky News understands.
This group has not been involved in the interim compensation scheme previously paid to victims of the scandal.
Tony Farrugia, who lost his haemophiliac father (and two uncles) to HIV/AIDs after being treated with infected blood products, described his meeting with the Paymaster General John Glen on Wednesday as “emotional”.
Mr Farrugia said this significant moment “wasn’t just about the money but that his loss has finally been recognised”.
He will now be able to apply to the compensation scheme after Sir Brian Langstaff’s report is published on 20 May.
Thousands of people died in the 1970s and 80s after infected blood products were imported from the United States to treat patients with blood clotting disorders. But these were used without being screened even though they had been farmed from prisoners, drug addicts and sex workers.
The Blood Inquiry which was announced in 2017 has seen evidence that shows these infected blood products were secretly tested on patients including young children even though the risks were widely known at the time.
More on Infected Blood Inquiry
A further 710 people have died since then and campaigners fear any more delays in awarding compensation will see more people dying before they get any money.
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