MOD to bring forward review of compensation scheme

THE Ministry of Defence is to bring forward a review into the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) after The Daily Telegraph highlighted failures in the process.

Serving soldiers and veterans have said they were “laughed at” and “belittled” as they sought compensation for injuries caused on military service.

In one case a soldier with 26 years experience was subjected to “derogatory and discriminating” language, when members of the Independent Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal failed to mute their microphones during an online appeal.

The Telegraph understands a formal investigation into the incident has been launched by the MOJ.

Another veteran said it had taken five years of appeals for his AFCS settlement to be increased to an acceptable level.

“If I hadn’t been ‘lawyered-up’, I doubt that I could have done it,” he said.

“It’s scandalous that these warinjured veterans are treated so badly and are resented by the agency that is intended to look after them,” he said.

Introduced in 2005, the AFCS grants lump sums and monthly payments for any injury, illness or death caused by military service. A five-yearly review into the system is due to start next month.

However, instead of reporting in spring 2023 as originally planned, it will now be completed by October following intervention by Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary.

‘It’s scandalous that these war-injured veterans are resented by the agency that is meant to look after them’

A new team is understood to have been created in the MOD to deal with AFCS complaints.

An MOD spokesman said: “We are extremely sorry that some people’s experience of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has fallen so far short of the standards we expect and will be taking action to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

The spokesman confirmed Ben Wallace and Leo Docherty, minister for defence people and veterans, spoke to officials yesterday in response to Telegraph’s article.