Veterans affected by the ban will get payouts of up to £70,000 from an increased pot of £75 million – a 50% increase on the cap set under the Tories
LGBT veterans will finally “feel like heroes” today as the government boosts compensation for those affected by the ban on gay people serving in the armed forces.
Veterans affected by the ban will get payouts of up to £70,000 from an increased pot of £75 million – a 50% increase on the cap set under the Tories.
As many as 20,000 armed forces personnel were jailed, dismissed for their sexuality or outed against their will before the rule on service was lifted in 2000.
Rishi Sunak finally said sorry in July, in a victory for campaigners and the charity Fighting With Pride – with victims promised compensation.
Defence Minister Al Carns will today confirm LGBT former personnel who were dismissed or discharged because of their sexual orientation will receive £50,000.
Additional payments of up to £20,000 will be available for veterans and serving personnel who were negatively affected by the ban from 1967 to 2000 during their time in service.
Craig Jones, who has led a five year campaign for compensation told the Mirror many veterans had hoped the figure would be higher.
He said: “We have an ageing population, many of whom have life limiting conditions. For now, this will lift some of them out of poverty and give comfort into older age.
“But it’s a cash payment, not a pension – and the men and women they joined up with have their pensions.”
Fighting With Pride plans to work with ministers to “get money where it is needed as soon as possible.”
It’s understood the process for applying for compensation will open on Monday, and the first payments will be made in March.
Hundreds of LGBT veterans are expected to come to Parliament today (THU) ahead of the funding being confirmed in the Commons.
“For the first time tomorrow they will feel like heroes,” Mr Jones said. “For the last 40 years, they’ve felt shamed.”
