Ex-service men and women have given so much to our country, and we are rightfully incredibly proud of them.
However, in the current system, far too many veterans are facing extreme hardship in trying to navigate the official compensation system and are all too often being denied the payments they deserve.
There are two major programmes through which veterans can apply for compensation – the ‘Armed Forces Compensation Scheme’, and its predecessor ‘War Pensions’.
Both of these are managed by Veterans UK, who operate under the Ministry of Defence.
However, unlike many other compensation schemes, Veterans UK are responsible not only for awarding any payments to veterans, but also for assessing the worthiness of their claims.
In my previous role as Shadow Minister for Veterans, and my current work as Co-Chair of the Veterans’ All Party Group, I heard from many ex-servicemen and women about the struggles they faced in the system, and the physical and mental health detriment they attribute to the current arduous process.
They told me the process was agonisingly long, that rejection levels were high, and that staff treated them with contempt.
They reported being treated as guilty of fabricating a claim, until proven innocent, therefore having to build a case to prove their injury or illness rather than the courts proving any incidents of dishonesty.
In order to do something about this, I joined forces with cross party MPs, where – through the All Party Parliamentary Group for Veterans – we launched a cross-party survey on the issue.
The survey hoped to identify whether these anecdotal complaints formed a clear pattern of bad experiences with Veterans UK, or whether they were simply the exception to the rule.
Over 1,000 veterans and personnel responded to the survey, and the results showed that the vast majority veterans have had negative experiences with the system, and do not think it is fit for purpose.
More than one respondent said the process drove them to consider, or attempt, suicide.
This is not good enough.
In February, the cross- Party group launched our initial findings, with the aim of urging the Government to take action.
I’m delighted that, this month, as a result of our survey, we have been able to secure an announcement from the Ministry of Defence that they will conduct an independent review into veterans’ welfare systems. I also met with the Defence Minister this week to discuss this.
If this investigation is thorough, and truly addresses the problems raised time and time again by veterans, it will mark a clear turning point.
Veterans deserve a fair chance at claiming the compensation they are entitled to, and I hope this inquiry signals a move towards a much more workable system.