UK infected blood memorial updates December 2025

If you’re teaching or learning about the infected blood scandal, here’s what’s new. The Memorial Committee has confirmed a national service of remembrance at St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday 19 May 2026. Because space is limited, this will be a ticketed event and you’re asked to register interest; supporters and champions are welcome too. The service is planned to last an hour and will be inclusive of all faiths. There’s a practical note for planning: you can register until 22 January 2026, and the committee will set out how it will handle attendance expenses by the end of January. If you’re budgeting, keep hold of any potential receipts until that update lands.

To help everyone catch up, the committee has shared a summary and a recording of the first commemorative event, held at Church House on 19 November 2025. Use it as a classroom resource or a shared viewing with students or family to hear directly from organisers and community members.

Why this work matters. Tens of thousands of people in the UK were infected with HIV and/or hepatitis C through NHS treatments from the 1970s to early 1990s, and around 3,000 people are thought to have died. The public inquiry’s final report was published on 20 May 2024; one key recommendation was to create memorials so the country formally remembers what happened.

Who is steering the memorial process. The Infected Blood Memorial Committee was set up following the Inquiry’s recommendations and includes people infected and affected, with advisory members from the four UK administrations. It is chaired by Clive Smith, with Joan Edgington as vice‑chair, and members including Bessie Woodhouse, Clair Walton, Gordon Dixon, John Dearden, Neil Lewis, Nicola Leahey, Nigel Hamilton, Tom Koukoulis and William Wright OBE. Their job is to recommend the design and location for a UK‑wide memorial and support memorials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as plan commemorative events.

The committee held its first formal meeting on Tuesday 9 December 2025. Minutes are available, and the Terms of Reference are due to be agreed at the next meeting in January. This is useful to read with students: it shows how public bodies set aims, hear feedback and make decisions step by step.

A permanent home for the Inquiry’s own memorial has been confirmed at the University of Manchester. It will first be displayed in the Carriageway Arch and then, after three years, moved to a similar publicly accessible site on campus. The Inquiry will let the community know when visits can begin-handy context if you’re planning a school or college trip.

At Treloar’s School-central to the Inquiry’s evidence-plans are moving. The separate Treloar’s Memorial Committee has agreed a design for a bronze sculpture of two boys and secured planning permission at the school. Next comes fabrication with an artist and foundry; the Church House summary notes the hope of completing the project by May 2026.

There is long‑running work in Scotland too. Over £40,000 has been raised across a decade toward a Scottish memorial, with a public arts consultant advising on location, costs and partners. An interactive display about the infected blood disaster is now part of the public exhibition at the Scottish Parliament-useful for learners visiting Holyrood.

What this means for you as a reader: memorials remember, while compensation is handled by a different body. If you’re looking for payments or eligibility information, that sits with the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), which publishes regular progress figures. For example, as of 21 February 2025, IBCA reported 204 people contacted to begin claims, 38 compensation offers totalling just over £48m, and more than £25m paid, with further invitations going out weekly.

Staying informed. The committee plans to email updates only to people who opt in, to avoid flooding the community with messages. If you want the latest on memorial locations, the St Paul’s service or meeting minutes, sign up to the mailing list and check the GOV.UK pages regularly. Share key dates with classmates, colleagues or family so nobody misses out.