An increase in the compensation packages to those affected by contaminated blood in the 1970s and 1980s has been declined by the Government.

“Increasing payments in line with the recommendation of an independent report into the scandal would cost £3bn and was unaffordable in the current climate”, said Public health Minister, Anne Milton.

In the 70s and 80s, due to the tainted blood came from drug users and prison inmates in the US, around 4,670 haemophiliacs in the UK got affected with hepatitis C unintentionally. Nearly 1,200, out of the total, contracted HIV and they are still living.

A review presented by the Lord Archer in 2009 suggested providing significantly higher compensations to the sufferers in line with the payments made in Ireland. The review has motivated campaigners to demand more compensation, which the Government is not adhering to.

As stated by Milton, the matter has been discussed for the first time in the House of Commons, but the recommendations cannot be executed. She added that this could harm the sentiments of many a people who suffered the tragedy.

The debate was a consequence of the spark lighted by the new backbench business committee, which was followed by call from Labour MP, Geoffrey Robinson to implement all the recommendations contained in the report.

The new review that will encompass more of Archer's recommendations will get complete by Christmas including the issue of irregular payments made to people with hepatitis C, as per the present system.