Transparency data

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Technical Expert Group (2025) Terms of Reference

Published 15 September 2025

1. Background 

• The Infected Blood Inquiry launched In 2017, and published a series of reports, including Sir Brian Langstaff’s First Interim Report, Second Interim Report and final Inquiry Report, and Sir Robert Francis KC’s Compensation Framework Study.
• In response to the Inquiry’s reports, the government created an Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in two sets of Regulations, which were consolidated in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme 2025 Regulations.
• On 9 July 2025, the Inquiry published an Additional Report on Compensation, relating to the current operation of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, and proposals for changes to the Scheme which were made by and on behalf of people infected and affected. 
• This additional report necessitated the need for further technical clinical and legal advice in order to make the proposed changes to the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. This advice will be provided by a new Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Technical Expert Group (the ‘Technical Expert Group’). 
• To ensure the necessary changes to the compensation scheme can be implemented with the minimum possible delay to IBCA’s ongoing delivery of compensation, all members of the previous Expert Group will be appointed to the new Technical Expert Group. In addition, the Technical Expert Group will include five further experts in transfusion medicine, haematology and psychological medicine to broaden the group’s expertise and ensure any changes to the scheme are thoroughly assessed and validated.
• The Technical Expert Group will be composed of specialist advisors who will supply evidence based guidance to support, but not determine, the government’s policy making process through a transparent working process, to respond to the Inquiry’s Additional Report on Compensation. 
• The Technical Expert Group’s work programme will contribute to a period of public consultation, engagement, and wider community input to support and inform the Government’s policy-making process in response to the Additional Report. Details of this work programme will be published on Gov.uk. 
• As per the Minister for the Cabinet Office’s statement to Parliament on 21 July, a full public consultation will be launched to seek input from the infected blood community, and others with interest and expertise in the area, to provide their views on how the Government should best respond to the Inquiry’s recommendations. Following this period, the Government will then be in a position to finalise changes to the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, informed by the results of a full consultation exercise, and the necessary advice from the Technical Expert Group.
• The Cabinet Office will continue to also work with other government departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care, HM Treasury, Department for Work and Pensions and Ministry Of Justice [not exhaustive], to consider the recommendations and Government’s response.

2. Role and Purpose of the Technical Expert Group

• The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Technical Expert Group will provide impartial technical advice (legal, actuarial and clinical) to the Government, working with officials to supply evidence-based guidance to support the government’s policy-making process in responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report.
• This independent, evidence-based analysis and judgement is essential to the policy-making process because it enables the Government to assess options and test its assumptions. The role of the Technical Expert Group in this context is to highlight options and consequences so that Ministers can take informed decisions.
• Advice provided by group members will be based on their area of expertise. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Providing technical advice and support to enable the Government to develop proposals for consultation in response to recommendations by the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Additional report;
  • Attending and actively participating in meetings of the Technical Expert Group;
  • Providing advice to the Government to inform how the Government  engage effectively with the infected blood community;
  • Contributing to official reports, briefings, and recommendations as required by the Technical Expert Group Chair.
• Members of the Technical Expert Group are expected to work collaboratively with the Chair, other Technical Expert Group members, Cabinet Office and other cross-government officials, and the Minister for the Cabinet Office.
• In addition, the Technical Expert Group is expected to respond to any ad-hoc issues that the Cabinet Office may require expert advice on the Scheme, which might be required at short notice.
• The Technical Expert Group will consider a variety of evidence available to it to formulate its advice. ‘Evidence’ includes, but is not limited to: 
  • The professional expertise of each Technical Expert Group member and any evidence provided to the members; 
  • Evidence and modelling provided by Cabinet Office and/or other government departments or agencies; 
  • Evidence and feedback gathered from any separate targeted consultation with infected and affected focus groups, such as consultation and engagement.  
  • Evidence submitted to and made public by the Inquiry. 

3. Engaging Beyond the Technical Expert Group’s Membership

• The Technical Expert Group may engage beyond their membership and outside of the Cabinet Office to enhance their understanding of specific technical areas where appropriate to enable the group to respond to questions set out in the work programme. This may include, but is not limited to, seeking targeted input from NHS Blood and Transfusion (NHSBT) on aspects of transfusion medicine, or the Infected Blood Psychological Support Services. Any input will be captured in writing where possible and handled in line with the Technical Expert Group’s secretariat process, data protection and transparency commitments. 
• The Technical Expert Group may undertake targeted engagement with members of the Infected Blood Community as the Chair sees appropriate and proportionate to enable the group to complete its work programme. Such activities will be facilitated by the Technical Expert Group and will not replace the formal public consultation. 
• Participation will be conducted with clear scope, prior communication and respect for privacy. Summaries of the outcome of any engagement will be formally recorded and used to inform the Technical Expert Group’s analysis. 
• Any such engagement will be focused on the scope of the Inquiry’s Additional Report to clarify evidence or test assumptions  to enable the group to respond to questions set out in the work programme. It will not delegate the Technical Expert Group’s advisory responsibilities, nor confer membership or decision-making responsibility on external contributors. 

4. Membership

• The Technical Expert Group will have representation from legal, technical and clinical experts. The full list of expert members can be found at Annex A.
• Direct Ministerial appointed members will be remunerated for their time (to be agreed with each member separately) and reasonable travel and subsistence which will be paid in line with the Cabinet Office expenses policy.  
• For commercially contracted members of the Technical Expert Group, costs will be in accordance with the CCS Framework terms and conditions or as agreed in the contract at the time of appointment.

5. The Chair 

• The Chair, Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, will be directly re-appointed by the Minister for the Cabinet Office. 
• The Chair and Technical Expert Group members will nominate a deputy who would act as the Chair in their absence. The deputy Chair will chair meetings and represent the Technical Expert Group in Government led meetings as required.
• Alongside the duties outlined in the Letter of Engagement, the Chair is required to perform the following functions:  
  • Harness the full expertise of the Technical Expert Group; 
  • Represent the views of the Technical Expert Group; 
  • Act impartially and ensure the independence of the Technical Expert Group; 
  • Ensure the Technical Expert Group’s advice stays within the scope agreed by Cabinet Office; 
  • Act as a liaison or ‘point person’ between the secretariat (Annex B) and the Technical Expert Group; 
  • Undertake the role of the Chair in addition to the role of Technical Expert Group members, working with the Cabinet Office and reporting directly to the Minister for the Cabinet Office. 

6. Conflict of Interest and confidentiality 

• Members will have signed a declaration form to alert the secretariat to potential conflicts of interest or concerns. 
• All terms under the Letter of Engagement, particularly  on confidentiality and use of official information are applicable. Members will agree to honour confidentiality in terms of all information and advice provided by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Cabinet Office and other government departments. The work of the Technical Expert Group is to be treated with the strictest confidence, and the sensitivity of the discussion and individual members’ views must be respected. 
• This confidentiality applies to all discussions, papers and/or evidence provided by the Minister for  the Cabinet Office, Cabinet Office and all other government departments to facilitate the Technical Expert Group’s role. These papers must not be shared with anyone who is not a member of the Technical Expert Group without consent from the Chair and Cabinet Office. The conclusions of the Technical Expert Group will be made public in accordance with the provisions below on Transparency.
• Technical Expert Group members must not discuss or disseminate, in the public domain, any discussion or decision made by the Technical Expert Group, Cabinet Office, Minister for the Cabinet Office and other government departments before, during and after work is completed without consent from the Chair and Cabinet Office. 
• Technical Expert Group members conduct in office should be at all times in accordance with the Nolan Report Recommendations, ‘The Seven Principles of Public Life’ which are attached as Annex C, and such relevant provisions of the Code of conduct for board members of public bodies as could reasonably be applied to the appointment.

7. Governance and secretariat 

• The Technical Expert Group will be sponsored by the Cabinet Office, who will provide a secretariat function for the group. Only the appointed Chair of the Technical Expert Group, members, Cabinet Office officials and Minister for  the Cabinet Office can request a meeting of the group and commission work as appropriate.
• The Chair of the Technical Expert Group will provide advice to Cabinet Office and other government departments as appropriate, who will advise their respective Ministers. However, on occasion the Chair or the group may be requested to advise Ministers directly and attend other Cabinet Office led meetings and, in such instances, advance notice and prior agreement with individuals will be sought as applicable.
• The secretariat will ensure timely meeting notifications and dissemination of meeting papers and minutes.

8. Timing and Meetings

• The duration of the Technical Expert Group is expected to be time limited, anticipated up to 6 months, with the possibility to extend for a further 6  months. If the group is extended, agreement from each member will be sought in advance.
• The Chair and Technical Expert Group members will meet weekly for 1 hour or as required to progress work.
• The Technical Expert Group will normally meet virtually (e.g. Microsoft Teams / Google meet). Where face to face meetings are considered appropriate these will be paid for by the Cabinet Office. 
• The quorum for a meeting of the Technical Expert Group shall be two-thirds of members present. At least the Technical Chair or deputy Chair must be present before a meeting can commence.
• Meeting minutes will be recorded and published to GOV.UK. 

9. Transparency 

To facilitate transparency in this process, the government will publish on gov.uk: 

• Details of the Panel’s Terms of Reference; 
• Membership of the Technical Expert Group
• Minutes of meetings will be placed in the public domain. Redactions may be applied if necessary to respect legal privilege.
• The Technical Expert Group work programme as set by the Cabinet Office
• Reports produced by the Technical Expert Group to advise on design of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

10. Annex A: List of Infected Blood Technical Expert Group Members

Member	Role
Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery	Chair
Professor Jane Anderson	Clinical expert (HIV infections)
Dr David Asboe	Clinical expert (HIV infections)
Dr Chloe Beale	Clinical expert (Psychological medicine - psychiatrist)
Professor Deborah Christie	Clinical expert (Psychological medicine - psychologist)
Dr Ahmed Elsharkawy	Clinical expert (Hepatitis infections)
Dr Lise Estcourt	Clinical expert (Transfusion medicine)
Professor Graham Foster	Clinical expert (Hepatitis infections)
Professor Patrick Kennedy	Clinical expert (Hepatitis infections)
Dr Susie Shapiro	Clinical expert (Bleeding disorders)
Dr Ian Williams	Clinical expert (HIV infections)
Professor John Weinman	Clinical expert (Psychological medicine - psychologist)
Browne Jacobson LLP	Legal expertise
Professor Alexander McNeil	Actuarial specialist

11. Care specialists

The previous Expert Group received advice from health and care expert witness agencies including:

• Apex Health Associates
• Lisa Barnes & Associates Ltd

Should further input on these issues be required, the Cabinet Office would expect to commission experts from the same agencies.

12. Annex B: Cabinet Office contacts

Name & responsibility	Contact details
Health Policy Team Lead	REDACTED
Technical Expert Group Secretariat Support	REDACTED

13. Annex C: The Seven Principles of Public Life

Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

Integrity

Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in their performance of their official duties.

Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness

Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty

Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interests.

Leadership

Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

These principles apply to all aspects of public life. The Committee has set them out for the benefit of all who serve the public in any way. Committee on Standards in Public Life