Victims of the infected blood scandal and their families have reacted with outrage after Jeremy Hunt did not make any reference to compensation in the Spring Budget.

People with haemophilia – including children at Treloar’s in Alton, where the NHS ran a clinic – were infected with HIV and hepatitis from contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.

But despite a government inquiry recommending a proper compensation scheme be set up, this is yet to materialise.

Des Collins, senior partner of Collins Solicitors who represents some 1,500 individuals and their families impacted by the infected blood scandal, accused the Chancellor of ignoring calls from 120 MPs to earmark funds for compensation.

He said: “Despite growing public support for our cause, nothing it seems has changed. The Government's policy remains one of obfuscation and delay.

 “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer later accused the Conservative government of “ducking its responsibilities” to the victims.