SNP have said that Forces Veterans get a raw deal

It has been reported that the SNP have said that Forces Veterans diagnosed with an asbestos related illness get a raw deal in compensation packages.

Kirsten Oswald, SNP MP for East Renfrewshire has written to the Prime Minister, calling from an equal deal for all Forces Veterans suffering from asbestos related mesothelioma.

The UK Government agreed last year to include Forces Veterans in compensation, but only those diagnosed after the 16 December 2015 will qualify for the compensation. This means that many people who were diagnosed before the cut off date will miss out on compensation if they were in the Forces and were exposed to asbestos dust.

Ms Oswald has reportedly said that although the compensation scheme is welcome, it must be made fair to all Forces Veterans. Those Forces Veterans who do qualify for the new payment can receive either a traditional War pension or £140,000 in a lump sum payment.

The Royal British Legion has also called for the rules, which come into force in April 2016, to include those who have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma before 16 December 2015.

Andrew Stinchcombe of Novum Law comments “this has been an outstanding issue for many years and it is still not fully resolved. It is completely unfair that someone who worked in the Forces has been unable to claim compensation for asbestos related disease, when a civilian working alongside that person can claim a full compensation payment.  These new rules are welcomed because it will allow some Forces personnel to claim compensation, but it is still total unfair that those diagnosed on or before the 16 December 2015 will not be eligible. We call on the Government to rectify this discrepancy and allow all Forces victims, who deserve compensation, to be fully paid”.

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