St Paul’s Cathedral will host a national service of remembrance for the infected blood community on Tuesday 19 May 2026. The Infected Blood Memorial Committee states the service will begin at 11:00 and run for one hour. Although Christian‑based, it will include contributions from other faith traditions and welcomes attendees of all faiths and none. The event is intended primarily for those infected and affected by contaminated blood and blood products, with supporters also able to attend subject to capacity. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/infected-blood-memorial-service-at-st-pauls-cathedral-on-tuesday-19-may-2026))
Attendance will be ticketed because of the cathedral’s capacity. People wishing to attend in person should register their interest using the government form; if registrations exceed available seats, places will be allocated by ballot. Supporters and champions of the community may also put their names forward through the same process. Prospective attendees should plan ahead, noting that places are not guaranteed and that confirmation will follow the registration and, if required, ballot process. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/infected-blood-memorial-service-at-st-pauls-cathedral-on-tuesday-19-may-2026))
The service follows the Infected Blood Inquiry’s final report, published on 20 May 2024, which set out decades of systemic failings and called for meaningful recognition alongside compensation. The memorial provides a national moment for remembrance nearly two years after publication of the report and amid ongoing administrative work to implement redress. ([infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk](https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/news/publication-inquiry-report-20-may?utm_source=openai))
Separately from the service, the government‑funded Infected Blood Compensation Scheme is being delivered UK‑wide by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA). The scheme is open to both people who were infected and those who are affected. For most applicants, compensation is determined through tariffs, with bespoke assessment available in defined circumstances. Payments are exempt from tax and are not intended to adversely affect means‑tested benefits. For people diagnosed before 1 April 2025, the scheme will remain open for six years (to 31 March 2031). Those diagnosed after that date have six years from diagnosis to apply. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary?utm_source=openai))
Regulations establishing the scheme came into force on 31 March 2025, expanding eligibility, introducing supplementary compensation routes and allowing multiple awards where a person is both infected and affected or affected multiple times. They also provide for returns to the scheme if a condition worsens and set out severe health conditions for a specific award. The update confirms Sir Robert Francis KC as interim Chair of IBCA and notes that IBCA launched its registration service on 9 October, with payments to infected people beginning in 2024 and payments to affected people expected from 2025. Inheritance tax and gifting rules have been adjusted so compensation is relieved from inheritance tax and certain gifts within two years are not charged. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infected-blood-compensation-scheme/government-update-on-the-infected-blood-compensation-scheme-html?utm_source=openai))
Those seeking updates on commemorative activity should subscribe to the Infected Blood Memorial Committee’s mailing list, which provides progress notes on memorials and events, and review the accompanying privacy notice for information on data handling. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/infected-blood-memorial-committee-mailing-list)) For advisers supporting beneficiaries, the NHS Business Services Authority confirms that existing England Infected Blood Support Scheme payments continue for those registered before 1 April 2025 while IBCA assesses compensation claims, with an administrative transfer of the England scheme to IBCA scheduled for March 2026. During a claim, individuals may choose between receiving a full compensation award or continuing with lifelong support payments; certain discretionary payments from 1 April 2025 are counted towards the final package. ([nhsbsa.nhs.uk](https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/update-infected-blood-compensation-scheme?utm_source=openai))