nuclear-news

‘No plans’ for specific nuclear test veteran compensation

By George Allison, UK Defence Journal, December 1, 2024

 Liz Saville Roberts MP (Plaid Cymru – Dwyfor Meirionnydd) recently
questioned the Ministry of Defence (MoD) about the possibility of
establishing a dedicated financial compensation scheme for nuclear test
veterans and their families.

These veterans were involved in the UK’s
nuclear testing programme from 1952 to 1967. Responding to the inquiry,
Luke Pollard, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence,
confirmed that “The Ministry of Defence has no current plans to develop a
specific compensation scheme for either Nuclear Test Veterans or their
families.”

However, Pollard highlighted that veterans who believe they
have been adversely affected by their service can apply to the War Pensions
Scheme. This “no-fault scheme provides compensation for Service personnel
who are disabled or die due to injury caused or made worse by service in
the UK Armed Forces before 6 April 2005.” He also noted the availability
of supplementary pensions and allowances for dependants through the same
programme.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-plans-for-specific-nuclear-test-veteran-compensation/

December 3, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, UK