This week I spoke in the House of Commons to welcome decisive action by the new Labour Government to right a set of historic wrongs inflicted on our veterans.
Since I was elected I’ve spoken a number of times in Parliament about the tremendous debt we owe to our Armed Forces. It’s something I feel very deeply, as I know residents do across Aldershot and Farnborough. People from our towns have served in every major conflict that our country has faced over the past two hundred years – and we know that will include many veterans from the LGBT community.
Many readers will remember that in 2022 Lord Etherton was asked to conduct an Independent Review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served in the Armed Forces during the ban on homosexuality. His final report, published in July 2023, made it clear that there was a whole generation of ex-service personnel across the UK who lost everything they knew because of a policy that was discriminatory.
My friend John Healey, our new Defence Secretary, has continued the work rightly started by the previous government, to implement 49 recommendations made by the Independent Review. In particular, he has firmly grasped the thorny issue of financial recognition, announcing a fund 50 per cent larger fund than the last government allowed and above the amount recommended by Lord Etherton.
It means that LGBT veterans dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity will receive up to £70,000 to acknowledge the historic wrongs they experienced in HM Armed Forces.
This decision was taken in consultation with veteran’s organisations and has been widely welcomed.
I am delighted that our neighbours who have been affected will now not only be able to claim this money, but also have their rank restored and discharge reason amended if they were dismissed or discharged due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
Rather than just hearing warm words, we’re finally seeing deeds – alongside the new Government’s commitment to deliver proper housing for all our veterans. I am proud to support a Government that listens and takes action.
There are two types of payment to recognise the discrimination and the detriment suffered by LGBT personnel under the ban. The first is for veterans who were dismissed or administratively discharged, including officers instructed to resign based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity under the ban. The second is open to all those who experienced pain and suffering under the ban, including harassment, intrusive investigations and indeed in some cases imprisonment.
If you know someone who might be eligible for this financial recognition scheme, please do help spread the word and encourage them to apply. You can find out more on the GOV.UK website, and you applications can be made by email or by Freepost.
