Defence Secretary promises Armed Forces LGBT compensation will be paid swiftly

The compensation scheme for LGBT veterans who were dismissed from the Armed Forces for being gay will pay out "soon into the new year" for those who are eligible, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Veterans will be able to make a claim from tomorrow morning.

But John Healey acknowledged that "time is ticking" for many veterans and he is the scheme will not take long to make decisions.

• LGBT veterans wait to see whether payout for mistreatment they endured will be increased
• Veterans affected by LGBT ban should get six-figure payout 'without any shadow of a doubt'
• 'Nothing will ever repair' the damage from UK Armed Forces' LGBT ban

LGBT veterans who were dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity will receive £50,000.

Additional payments of up to £20,000 will also be available for those negatively impacted by the ban on LGBT personnel between 1967 and 2000.

This is aimed at those who suffered harassment, invasive investigations and those who were sent to prison.

Mr Healey also announced that veterans can apply to have their rank restored and the reason for their discharge amended.

Campaigners had been hoping for a greater amount and expressed disappointment with the final sum.

Craig Jones, whose charity Fighting With Pride was among those leading calls for more compensation, said the amount would give some degree of comfort to those worst affected but was "not an amount that compensates the veterans for all that they have experienced".

Speaking with BFBS Forces News, he said: "Fighting with Pride welcomes today's news that the fund for financial reparations for LGBT+ veterans has been increased from the £50m recommended in the final report of the LGBT veterans review and will now be £75m.

"This is not an amount that compensates the veterans for all that they have experienced, however it will, we hope, provide some comfort and security in older age and perhaps a sense of justice for the veterans affected by the ban.

"Particularly, it will not replace the pensions they had the opportunity to earn, therefore we will be monitoring closely in future years to see how the veterans fare.

"But we welcome the efforts of the Ministry of Defence to quickly put in place this compensation scheme.

"They have worked diligently and hard and we look forward to it opening on Friday and to supporting veterans to step forward to receive these payments which we hope will lift those most affected out of the poverty the ban has imposed upon them."

The Government increased the total amount available for payments to £75m, significantly above the level recommended in the Etherton Review into the treatment of LGBT veterans.

The Defence Secretary said: "The historic treatment of LGBT veterans was a moral stain on our nation. 

"Our Government is determined to right the wrongs of the past and recognise the hurt that too many endured.  

"We have listened to veterans and will continue to deliver against the recommendations set out in the Etherton Review and support our veterans as we work to renew the nation's contract with those who serve and have served.

"This work was rightly started by the previous government, and will be taken forward and delivered by this government."

The payments will be exempt from income tax and means-tested benefits, ensuring LGBT veterans benefit from the full amount available. 

LGBT veterans who were dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation or gender identity will receive £50,000. 

As a result of the increased funding, additional payments of up to £20,000 will be available for veterans and service personnel who were negatively affected by the ban on LGBT personnel from 1967 to 2000 during their time in service. 

This is an increase of 50% to the Financial Recognition Scheme. 

Ministers have also announced today that LGBT veterans, dismissed or discharged due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, can apply to have their rank restored and discharge reason amended.

Today's announcements mark a significant step towards implementing Lord Etherton's review, which looked at the appalling treatment of LGBT serving personnel between 1967 and 2000. 

With applications opening tomorrow for the Financial Recognition Scheme, which will leave only seven recommendations outstanding, the MOD is working closely with other government departments and stakeholders to ensure all remaining recommendations are delivered in 2025. 

Veterans Minister Al Carns said: "This response to Lord Etherton's Review indicates the urgent action we're taking to help redress the regrettable chapter in the history of the Armed Forces. 

"The treatment of LGBT people is a shameful chapter in the history of our Armed Forces and we are working hard to address the wrongs of the past. 

"We fully welcome our LGBT veterans back into Defence and acknowledge their vital contribution to keeping the nation safe."

To help as many eligible people to apply as possible, the Ministry of Defence has set aside a £90,000 fund for key charities to support LGBT veterans with their applications. 

Four non-financial restorative measures, including the two announced today on rank restoration and the qualification of administrative discharges, will be extended to those who served before 1967. 

The other two are certificates of service being reissued and former Officers having their service details published in The Gazette.