MAGGIE WELCOMES INFECTED BLOOD SCHEME

 Maggie welcomes the launch of the Government’s Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. Maggie Throup OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Erewash has welcomed the launch of the Government’s Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, to compensate victims of the Infected Blood Scandal – a tragedy that has deeply impacted many lives. The Infected Blood Scandal, a catastrophic failure that should never have occurred, has finally been addressed following the findings of Sir Brian Langstaff’s Infected Blood Inquiry. In response to the Inquiry's report, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, issued a heartfelt and unequivocal apology on behalf of successive Governments dating back to the 1970s, acknowledging the long struggle for justice endured by the victims and their families. 

Recognising the urgent need for justice, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Rt Hon John Glen MP, announced an additional £210,000.00 interim payment for individuals already registered on existing support schemes. The Government has committed to ensuring that the first victims will receive their final compensation payments before the end of the year. All those affected by the scandal will be eligible to claim compensation under this new scheme. The Government has pledged to cover all costs necessary to deliver this scheme and to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. 

Maggie said: “I fully endorse Sir Brian Langstaff’s report and commend the incredible courage and determination of the victims and their families, including several from Erewash, who have fought for justice for far too long. I am pleased that the Government is establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to oversee the compensation process. Those directly or indirectly infected by NHS blood, blood products, or tissue contaminated with HIV, Hepatitis C, or those who developed chronic infections from blood contaminated with Hepatitis B, will be eligible to claim compensation under this scheme. The Government now has a duty to reassure the public that today’s NHS blood and blood- related products are safe. I am also urging the Government to commission a comprehensive review of the safeguards within the blood products industry to guarantee that such failures can never happen again.” 

This significant step forward marks a pivotal moment in delivering long awaited justice to the victims and restoring public confidence in the safety of NHS blood products. Information about the compensation scheme can be found on the Infected Blood Compensation Authority’s website here. 

LONG EATON CARNIVAL

Revellers have just days left to enter a float in Erewash’s biggest carnival parade – as the borough council confirmed the annual road closures. The theme for this year’s Long Eaton spectacular is “That’s Entertainment”. Carnival weekend kicks off on Friday 7th June with live music from 7pm to 10pm in the town’s West Park. The big parade is on Saturday 8 June when it sets off from the park at 11am before arriving back there around an hour and a half later. A spokesman said: “This is when the carnival officially starts – and the best bit is that it is free.” Sunday will see the weekend of fun continue with park events including a car boot sale. The organising committee’s chairman Pete Smith said: “We’re actually a week earlier this year to avoid clashing with the revellers at Download – not that we’re competing for headliners.” 

The carnival was first held 93 years ago – and its jokey slogan is “Bringing chaos to Long Eaton since 1931”. 

It is staged by dedicated volunteers who devote a year to planning and fundraising. With the deadline for entering floats looming, a plea has also gone out for more local people to sign up as stewards and marshals. A member of the Long Eaton Community Carnival Association confirmed: “We’re always looking for additional hands and helpers, acts, businesses and organisations who might want to be involved on the day and in the lead up to it.”The deadline to enter floats is Friday 24 May. More information, including how to volunteer, can be found at the carnival’s website here: Long Eaton Carnival – Bringing Long Eaton people together as a community 

The road closures from 11am to 1.30pm will be on a rolling basis – with routes reopening to traffic once the Community Carnival Parade passes. The roads are: 

Wilsthorpe Road (B6002) from the entrance to West Park event field to its junction with Tamworth Road (Long Eaton Railway Station). 

Thoresby Road – in its entirety. 

Tamworth Road (B6540) from its junction with Wilsthorpe Road (Long Eaton Railway Station) to its junction with the Market Place. 

Market Place – in its entirety.