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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Thalidomide survivors to get £20m | Thalidomide survivors to get £20m |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The government has awarded £20m of funding for people disabled after their mothers took the drug thalidomide. | The government has awarded £20m of funding for people disabled after their mothers took the drug thalidomide. |
| Campaigners had been battling for years for additional support for the 466 UK survivors disabled by drug, prescribed in the 1950s for morning sickness. | |
| The money will be dispensed through a three-year pilot scheme by the Thalidomide Trust - and if successful the deal could be extended. | The money will be dispensed through a three-year pilot scheme by the Thalidomide Trust - and if successful the deal could be extended. |
| An apology will also be made in Parliament in the New Year. | An apology will also be made in Parliament in the New Year. |
| One campaigner, Guy Tweedy, said he was "delighted" by the news. | One campaigner, Guy Tweedy, said he was "delighted" by the news. |
| Health Minister, Mike Health said the arrangement would help thalidomide survivors meet their "changing and increasing health needs" as they approach older age. | Health Minister, Mike Health said the arrangement would help thalidomide survivors meet their "changing and increasing health needs" as they approach older age. |
| "I know that this will be a much-anticipated early Christmas present for all those involved. | "I know that this will be a much-anticipated early Christmas present for all those involved. |
| "I would also like to pay tribute to the work of the Thalidomide Trust and its officers, and members of the National Advisory Council who have worked tirelessly to champion the cause of thalidomide survivors, and whose contribution in supporting them and their families cannot be overstated." | "I would also like to pay tribute to the work of the Thalidomide Trust and its officers, and members of the National Advisory Council who have worked tirelessly to champion the cause of thalidomide survivors, and whose contribution in supporting them and their families cannot be overstated." |
| Withdrawn | Withdrawn |
| Thalidomide was withdrawn in 1961 after babies were born with limb deformities and other damage. | Thalidomide was withdrawn in 1961 after babies were born with limb deformities and other damage. |
| In the 1970s, the drug's UK manufacturer, Distillers Biochemicals, paid out around £28m compensation following a legal battle. | In the 1970s, the drug's UK manufacturer, Distillers Biochemicals, paid out around £28m compensation following a legal battle. |
| Campaigners said they had wanted justice to help ease the lives of those who for 50 years have struggled daily with "terrible deformities". | Campaigners said they had wanted justice to help ease the lives of those who for 50 years have struggled daily with "terrible deformities". |
| They also hope a further £5m could be provided if Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland contribute to the fund. | They also hope a further £5m could be provided if Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland contribute to the fund. |
| The Thalidomide Trust will be responsible for distributing the £20m Department of Health grant to help meet the health needs of those affected. | The Thalidomide Trust will be responsible for distributing the £20m Department of Health grant to help meet the health needs of those affected. |
| The Department of Health said it will also look at how this approach - working through an expert national body - might be applied to other small groups of patients who have specialised needs but are geographically dispersed. | The Department of Health said it will also look at how this approach - working through an expert national body - might be applied to other small groups of patients who have specialised needs but are geographically dispersed. |
| Mr Tweedy said: "This is a significant day in the long-running battle to get a fair and just settlement for the victims of this wicked drug. | Mr Tweedy said: "This is a significant day in the long-running battle to get a fair and just settlement for the victims of this wicked drug. |
| "Our campaign, which was fought with dignity and determination, has always been about justice and not entitlement." | "Our campaign, which was fought with dignity and determination, has always been about justice and not entitlement." |
| Nick Dobrik, leader of the Thalidomide campaign, said: "We would like to thank our lawyer Jacqueline Perry for her continued help over the last 16 years. | Nick Dobrik, leader of the Thalidomide campaign, said: "We would like to thank our lawyer Jacqueline Perry for her continued help over the last 16 years. |
| "Without her kind advice we would not be where we are today. | "Without her kind advice we would not be where we are today. |
| "Additionally we would like to thank Mike O'Brien for treating us with so much respect and understanding in recent months. | "Additionally we would like to thank Mike O'Brien for treating us with so much respect and understanding in recent months. |
| "Lastly I would like to thank thalidomiders themselves and MPs from all parties for listening to our concerns and for their support during this process." | "Lastly I would like to thank thalidomiders themselves and MPs from all parties for listening to our concerns and for their support during this process." |