Written questions

Sodium Valproate: Compensation

Commons · Question 107356 · Tabled 21 Jan 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 27 Jan 2026

Question

Asked by Bob Blackman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing financial compensation to people harmed by sodium valproate by using the same compensation process as for thalidomide survivors.

Answer

Answered by Zubir Ahmed, 27 Jan 2026

The Department’s consideration of the Hughes Report’s recommendations for redress for those harmed by sodium valproate will include comparison with the compensation process for thalidomide survivors. However, this is a complex, cross-Government policy are...