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Injured troops denied proper compensation, says ex-PM
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent24.07.09
Britain is failing in its obligations to soldiers wounded in the Afghan war, according to Sir John Major.
The former Prime Minister has criticised "deficiencies" in the compensation scheme for injured servicemen and women.
"Britain, despite her problems, is still one of the richest countries in the world," he said. "If we cannot afford to care for our wounded with generosity, then we should not expose them to risk. But we do. And in a good cause, we always will."
Sir John is concerned that the "tariff" system for wounded troops does not properly compensate those who suffer life-long injuries, particularly disabling mental conditions.
He highlighted how the maximum payout for a physical injury was £570,000 compared with £48,875 for mental issues.
"As our servicemen and women remain engaged in hostilities, complex combat injuries resulting from multiple physical - and mental - injuries are increasingly common," he writes in the Daily Telegraph today.
"Of course they joined the Armed Forces knowing the risks they faced, but we, as a nation, have our own obligations. I do not believe they are being fully met."
Defence minister Kevan Jones said the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme would be improved if shortcomings were identified in an imminent review.
Reader views (3)
John Major could be solely responsible (he's not) and it would still be appropriate for him to voice CURRENT concerns in this, or any other matter. Experience is something you're supposed to learn from, I've always thought.
- Rogan, Irving
This probably goes back to John Major´s time in Downing Street, or even earlier. Don´t make too much noise, John.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
Last year, I successfully campaigned for an increase in the lump sum payment awarded to service personnel very seriously injured while defending the interests of the United Kingdom abroad. My friend and former colleague Lance Corporal Martyn Compton received horrific injuries and burns. It took two years for the appropriate levels of compensation to be paid out.
A year on and although changes have been made, there are still short-comings with the scheme. Especially with regard to the treatment of those veterans with multiple injuries, mental injuries and how the fine detail of the lifetime Guaranteed Income Payment is calculated.
I welcome the call by Sir John Major for an independent review of the compensation scheme, to be conducted by an independent Chairman and Panel. This is required to ensure individuals receive just levels of compensation and are not hindered by the limits of the Government’s Expenditure Plan for Defence.
- Alistair Galloway, London, UK
