I would like to say a few words about the Royal British Legion’s ‘Credit Their Service’ Campaign.
Our veterans deserve the best possible care and support in recognition of the service they have given and the sacrifices they have made. It is right that we compensate them for the pain and loss they may have suffered or are suffering as a result of their military service.
Over 150,000 veterans in the UK have received some form of compensation and, with the Chippenham Constituency being so full of serving and retired service men and women, there are going to be disproportionately high numbers living here amongst us.
I was therefore somewhat disappointed to learn that this compensation is regarded as income when our veterans are being means tested for any welfare benefits including local authority ones such as housing benefit, council tax support, discretionary housing payments, and disabled facilities grants.
This is plain wrong and is in direct contrast with Civil Service awards, such as personal injury compensation, which are typically exempt from such welfare benefits means testing. It beggars belief that some of the most financially vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the Armed Forces community are denied the support enjoyed by their civilian counterparts whom they may even have worked alongside
I therefore commend and support the Royal British Legion for highlighting this injustice and driving this crucial campaign and join Parliamentarians in calling on the Government to amend benefit regulations to ensure that no member of the Armed Forces community has their compensation treated as income when undergoing welfare benefits means testing.
