APPG Meeting: Military compensation & the benefits system

This week, I chaired the latest meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces Community, which focused on the treatment of military compensation within the benefits system.

Military compensation is intended to recognise the service and sacrifice of those who have been injured or fallen ill while serving our country. Yet too often, these payments are still treated as income in means-tested benefits, leaving some of the most vulnerable veterans and bereaved families worse off. This is contrary to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which promises that no one who has served should face disadvantage compared to others in society.

We heard from Councillor Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, who explained how Medway acted to change its policies so that military compensation is no longer treated as income in local benefits. George Lankester, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Help for Heroes, set out the national picture and the real impact this inconsistency continues to have on veterans and their families.

In Leyton and Wanstead, this issue has been raised with me directly by local veterans. Working with the Royal British Legion, both Redbridge and Waltham Forest Councils have now changed their policies so that military compensation is fully disregarded across all locally administered means-tested benefits. This shows what can be achieved when councils, veterans’ organisations and MPs work together.

The APPG will continue to press to ensure that no veteran or bereaved family is placed at a disadvantage for receiving the compensation they are entitled to as a result of their service.