7. Will the Minister provide an update on financial support for Welsh victims of the contaminated blood scandal? OAQ55232

Through the Welsh infected blood support scheme, the Welsh Government provides a comprehensive package of ex gratia payments as well as extensive wraparound support, which includes psychological support, benefit advice and support and signposting to other public services we can provide across Wales.

Thank you, Deputy Minister. I think, before I ask my question, I should pay tribute to the work you've done as a backbencher, before you entered Government, as chair of the cross-party group on contaminated blood and the work you did forcing the UK Government into the inquiry. That is certainly recognised. But I do have some questions about where we are today.

On 9 January, I wrote to the health Minister on behalf of my constituent Kirk Ellis, who was affected by the contaminated blood scandal. He's unwell and is increasingly anxious that his family are unable to provide financially for him, should anything happen to him. I'd also say there are members of the public who are members of the cross-party group on contaminated blood in the public gallery today, and they've come in to specifically hear this question.

Kirk has found out—Kirk Ellis has found out—that he is financially worse off than he initially thought, as victims in England receive payments for their children at a rate of £3,000 a year for the first child and then £1,200 for each other child. So, therefore, with a three-year-old, Kirk is £9,000 worse off than if he lived in England. There's a clear case to answer here, and it is, of course, incumbent on the UK Government to take the lead and to provide the funding. But also there is a differential in England, Scotland and Wales as to what people receive. In Scotland, the widows and widowers of people who have died will receive financial compensation. That is not the case in England or Wales. But the key issue—the key issue—until the inquiry has published its findings, there is a discrepancy across the United Kingdom.

Victims in Wales are asking the simple question: why can't we just pay them what they are rightfully owed? Minister, can you just answer that question? And also, please would you attend a future meeting of the cross-party group to talk to victims about this particular issue?

Well, I thank Hefin David for that very important question. I was pleased to meet members of the cross-party group earlier on today at the beginning of their meeting, and I know how strongly they feel about this issue.

There are four separate schemes in the four countries of the UK, and it is hard to compare them, because they are so different. However, I know it is absolutely right that, on average, beneficiaries in Wales receive, on average, £12,000 less than their English counterparts, although Wales does supply psychological support, which has been praised by Sir Brian Langstaff, the chair of the inquiry. But the Government believes that there should be parity between the four schemes. It has been difficult to make progress through all the changes of Ministers in Westminster. We recognise that the issue about the widows is very important, and that is something that members of the haemophilia cross-party group have consistently lobbied about—the fact that it's only in Scotland that the widows are recognised. So, I think that is a very important issue that we must look at.

We are planning a meeting of the four Ministers for the four devolved bodies. We want to move to a position of parity. I absolutely accept what Hefin David says, that it isn't right that victims here in Wales should receive less than in other countries. So, that is something we are addressing as soon there is a Minister who is designated in the Government in Westminster and as soon as we're able to have a meeting.

Finally, question 8, Paul Davies.