Overview

This bill mandates a review of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979, specifically examining whether the payments made since January 1st, 2020 should be increased to account for inflation since 2007. The Secretary of State must conduct the review, consult relevant stakeholders, and publish a report to Parliament within six months of the bill's passage.

Description

The bill compels the Secretary of State to review the adequacy of payments under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979. The review will assess whether payments for claims submitted since January 1st, 2020 should be increased. The increase would reflect the cumulative inflation rate since 2007, using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as a benchmark. The Secretary of State must consult various groups during this review, including individuals who have made claims under the 1979 Act and their families; representatives of claimants; UKCVFamily; patient safety groups; and other relevant parties deemed necessary by the Secretary of State. A report detailing the findings and recommendations must be published and presented to Parliament within six months of the bill's enactment.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly allocate any new government funding. However, depending on the outcome of the review and subsequent government action, it could potentially lead to increased government spending to compensate for inflation adjustments to past vaccine damage payments. The exact cost is currently unknown and will depend on the outcome of the review and potential future legislation.

Groups Affected

• Individuals who have made claims under the 1979 Act and their families: Potentially benefit from increased payments if the review recommends adjustments.
• Groups representing claimants (e.g., lawyers, advocacy groups): Their work and advocacy may be impacted by the outcome of the review.
• UKCVFamily and patient safety groups: Their input will shape the review process and potentially influence the outcome.
• The UK Government: May face increased financial obligations if the review recommends and Parliament approves increases to past payments.

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