This week, the UK government will begin final compensation payments to the first victims of the infected blood scandal, which led to over 30,000 infections from contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 80s. Ten individuals have accepted settlements totaling over £13 million, with continued processing of applications from January. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £11.8 billion allocated for compensation, marking this as potentially the largest payout in NHS history. Officials stress that these efforts aim to address long-standing injustices faced by victims.