Unlike in the other countries, the UK government deducted taxes from the Thalidomide compensation payments. In 2003 Guy Tweedy, a survivor from North Yorkshire, started an 18-month campaign to get the UK government to stop taxing the compensation. He urged people to write letters of support and met with dozens of politicians all over the country. Tweedy’s efforts paid off: In July 2004 the Treasury announced that from now on the compensation would be tax-exempt.

Source: BBC Online: “Thalidomide Campaign Victory”, July 21, 2004.