Chair of the health select committee, Steve Brine, says it will play its part in ensuring all the recommendations are implemented.

He is talking about the financial loss award, asking if it would reflect the "reality for many infected blood victims" - such as not being able to access life insurance.

Glen says legal expert Jonathan Montgomery and his team have looked at the law to see what people's different circumstances would be entitled to.

Image source, House of Commons

The SNP's Chris Stephens asks Glen whether the board of the new compensation body will include representatives of both the infected and affected.

He also asks whether the minister can find a way to ensure those with hepatitis B get access to existing schemes.

Glen responds by acknowledging it is absolutely critical that the infected blood community needs to be fully engaged.

Throughout this, he adds, they will need to reconcile speed and efficiency with consultation.

Regarding the query on hepatitis B and access to the schemes, Glen says he will correspond with Stephens separately "because there are lots of technical issues there".

Nick Triggle
Health Correspondent

The government appears to have accepted much of the public inquiry’s recommendations.

But what is unclear is how many people will get compensation and how much.

It will be open to family and friends who have been affected by loved-ones being infected.

That is important and something that campaigners have long been pushing for. To date only 4,000 have received interim compensation of £100,000.

They are people who are registered with infected blood support schemes, which have been running since 1989.

But access to that has been very restricted over the years – people infected with hepatitis only became eligible in 2004.

It has meant many people infected and families affected have received no support.

People have died before they have become eligible, others have struggled to prove they should get support and there are some who still do not even know they have been infected – hepatitis C is known as the silent killer as it can result in few symptoms for years.

Image source, House of Commons

Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley has just addressed the House of Commons, saying it has been 36 years since someone he knew was infected - and 33 years since he died.

After relating his own experience, Bottomley asks whether those infected should have an NHS passport so they are not asked irrelevant questions about why they may have acquired HIV or hepatitis C - like about being a drug user or having unsafe sex.

He then notes the payments "are not lottery sums being awarded", observing the compensation is being used to fix some of the hurt families have suffered

Bottomley asks whether measures will be taken to make sure it doesn't further fracture families when distributing the paid compensation.

Glen acknowledges some of the stigma victims have had to endure, adding that the appropriate framework for the compensation scheme is in place so "it is not destructive to their lives".

How much compensation will cost remains unansweredpublished at 13:06 British Summer Time 21 May

13:06 BST 21 May

Iain Watson
Political correspondent

The likely total cost of the scheme was not set out by John Glen.

Downing Street said the cost will depend on how many individuals are compensated.

But there will be a forecast of the cost at the next "fiscal event" - which would be an Autumn Statement if an election isn’t called first.

So, we may not know until then whether that money comes from borrowing, or from cuts elsewhere in day to day spending.

It’s unlikely to come from tax rises as the government will be keen to make further reductions in National Insurance before polling day of possible.

In response to Thomas-Symonds's questions, Glen says he totally embraces the need to "continue the dialogue" with victims.

He says there is no restriction on the budget: "Where we need to pay, we will pay, we will minimise delays."

On tracing further victims, Glen says it is a matter for the new compensation body to look at.

He adds that he expects there will be an exercise to engage with representatives of those communities in June.

Image source, House of Commons

Thomas-Symonds asks Glen if he could confirm whether there are plans to trace any more people who might be eligible for them.

He also asks if the minister would ensure "all relevant evidence is made available" for prosecuting authorities to consider.

The Labour MP adds at the end of his questions that "we must deliver a duty of candour" and replace the government culture of defensiveness with "openness and transparency".

Glen makes key pledge for more interim paymentspublished at 12:59 British Summer Time 21 May

12:59 BST 21 May

Iain Watson
Political correspondent

John Glen’s assurance that payments will be made before the end of the year is significant.

Critics had been concerned that payments may not be made until after the general election (the latest date for that is in January 2025) and that further interim payments will be made to those who are infected.

There had been a push from some MPs for final compensation to be made within three months.

Joh Glen has said further interim payments - of £210,000 - will be made to those who are infected within 90 days.

Image source, House of Commons

We're now hearing from Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds, who joined the prime minister and Labour leader in offering a deep and heartfelt apology to victims.

He says the scale of the horror uncovered by the report almost defies belief.

Thomas-Symonds pays tribute to the victims, as well as charities and campaigners who have worked to achieve justice.

He asks the Glen to confirm that continuing to seek victims' views is crucial and that there will be no undue delay to payments.

Francis being appointed as chairman significantpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 21 May

12:54 BST 21 May

Iain Watson
Political correspondent

The appointment of Sir Robert Francis as interim chair of the compensation authority is significant as he had advised on how it should be structured.

The Inquiry Chair Sir Brian Langstaff had wanted the compensation scheme set up sooner, but the minister John Glen said this had to be done in shadow form.

Downing Street said this morning they were clear the scheme would not be operational until the final report from Sir Brian had been received but interim payments of £100,000 had been made to some victims.

Before concluding, Glen pays tribute to all those who have been caught up "in this terrible tragedy" as he praises their "battle for justice.

"The infected blood community know their cries for justice have been heard," Glen says, as he finishes his address.

We'll bring you Labour's response shortly.

Glen goes on to say he recognises that members of the infected blood community are still dying each week from infection and some will be thinking they won't live to receive compensation.

This is why, he says, the government is announcing further interim payments of £210,000 to "living infected beneficiaries" ahead of the establishment of the final scheme.

It will also be available to those who "register with a support scheme before a final scheme is operational, and the estates of people who pass away between now and payments being made".

They will be delivered within 90 days, starting in the summer, so they can "reach those who need it so urgently most".

Glen says he knows that "time is of the essence".

Glen says the payments would be exempt from income, capital gains, and inheritance tax.

He says the government would disregard means tested benefits assessment.

He adds that claimants would be able to appeal their awards too.

The government expects final payments to start before the end of the year, Glen says.

Image source, House of Commons

Glen says it's not just those directly infected that require compensation, but also those affected by the scandal - partners, parents, siblings, children, family and friends.

He confirms that anyone already registered with support schemes will automatically be considered eligible for compensation.

Glen says if someone has died but would have been eligible for compensation, the money will go to the estate of the victim - meaning their loved ones will be able to receive it.

He adds that those who were infected with hepatitis B and died during the acute period of infection will be included in this.

John Glen says further details of the scheme will be published online later today.

He tells fellow MPs that the government is establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Authority - an arms length body - which will administer the compensation scheme.

A shadow body has been set up and an interim CEO appointed, the minister adds.

Government minister John Glen goes on to say it was a "privilege" to meet people from across the UK who have been impacted by the infected blood scandal.

"I want to honour the fortitude of the victims as I lay out details of compensation," he tells the House of Commons.

Glen adds that the government will pay "comprehensive compensation" to people who were infected and affected as a result of this scandal.

Image source, House of Commons

Glen begins by apologising on behalf of the government once more: "I am sorry," he says.

He reiterates Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's gratitude yesterday towards chair of the inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, as well as all those who came forward to give evidence.

John Glen is on his feet and about to deliver his statement in Parliament.

He's due to set out how the government will pay out compensation to those affected by the infected blood scandal - as well as how much they will be entitled to.

We'll be bringing you the key lines from the paymaster general's statement here, as well as the response from the opposition benches.

Very shortly, we'll be hearing from Paymaster General John Glen.

He's scheduled to speak at 12:30 BST in the House of Commons, straight after an ongoing session on energy security and the government's climate targets.

Glen, who is also a minister in the Cabinet Office, will be outlining details of the compensation scheme for the victims affected by the infected blood scandal.