Public Policy eNews - 15 February 2008

Welcome to the first edition of the Legion’s policy eNewsletter. We hope you find this a useful source of updates on government policy, Legion campaigning and welfare benefit developments.

The Legion at Work

Honour the Covenant campaign update
Since the Honour the Covenant campaign was launched in September 2007, there have been several policy developments and successes that we are pleased to report, including changes to the compensation scheme for injured personnel and the announcement of a new government strategy to improve support for personnel and their families.
Click here for a summary of the campaign to date.

Priority treatment extended
All veterans with a Service-related condition are now eligible for priority treatment on the NHS, following the extension of the scheme from 1st January 2008. More details...

Endowment mortgage compensation
The Legion’s policy team are currently looking at the issue of the lack of compensation available to Armed Forces personnel who were mis-sold an endowment mortgage while posted abroad. It is early days yet but we have been in touch with some of the financial institutions and have received support from some quarters. To help with this work we would like to hear from anyone who has fallen foul of these compensation rules. Please contact Dan Martin on 0207 973 7360 or dmartin@britishlegion.org.uk.

Legion survey of caseworkers
Last week we began a survey of all of our current UK and Republic of Ireland caseworkers. The survey asks our volunteers to verify their personal data and to answer some questions about internet access. We will be using the information we collect to help us with our strategy for Legion caseworkers and to give us a better idea of the impact of the forthcoming legislation for the protection of vulnerable adults.

Policy Update 

MOD Review of the War Pension Scheme
Veterans Minister Derek Twigg has written to the Legion outlining the need for a review of the War Pension Scheme. The Government is particularly interested in reducing the administrative burden of the Scheme and making it easier to understand. Particular focus is on the supplementary allowances available in the Scheme and whether these can be delivered by other government departments. The Legion has submitted an initial response to the consultation; please click here to access the full document. There will be a further consultation on any proposals to come forward from this initial review.

More help for the Armed Forces with home ownership
The Government announced at the end of December 2007 that it will be extending the help provided to members of the Armed Forces who wish to purchase their own home. The Homebuy shared equity scheme, the Government claims, can boost the buying power of those qualifying by £50,000.

Council tax "rebate" for all Armed Forces personnel overseas
All Armed Forces personnel deployed on operations overseas are to get a council tax "rebate", the Government has announced. This will extend the rebate currently available for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to those deployed elsewhere.

Supporting Foreign and Commonwealth soldiers and their families
The Legion is receiving an increasing number of enquiries from Foreign and Commonwealth citizens who have served with the UK Armed Forces. The Army has produced useful guidance covering the policies and procedures and immigration rules for non-British nationals serving. Click here to view the guidance.

National Audit Office impressed with MOD resettlement services.
The National Audit Office (NAO) has produced a fairly complimentary assessment of the Ministry of Defence’s resettlement services. The NAO found a good range of support for those leaving the Armed Forces, with most people adapting into civilian life easily and comfortably. Concern was expressed about support provided to a minority of leavers, mainly Early Service Leavers, who can find the transition a tougher challenge. A Legion policy team summary can be viewed by clicking here.

Welfare Benefits

Incapacity Benefit gets the sack
2008 will see the introduction of a new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This will replace Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Income Support (IS) paid on the grounds of incapacity. Further details are available from the Disability Alliance website.

Entitlement to non means-tested benefits following imprisonment
New DWP guidance on entitlement to non means-tested benefits following imprisonment has been released.

Pension Credit take-up low in rural areas
Pension Credit take-up is especially low in rural areas a new report has found. Caseworkers in such areas may wish to make sure any clients they encounter are aware of the availability of this benefit.

War pensions uprating 2008/2009
War pensions and associated allowances will increase by 3.9% from April 2008. Announcing the new rates, Veterans Minister Derek Twigg said, "This increase will ensure that the income of war pensioners will keep pace with inflation. The increase demonstrates our ongoing commitment to support veterans and their families."

General benefits uprating 2008/2009
Details of 2008/09 benefit rates have been released. From April 2008, most contributory and non-contributory benefits will rise by the RPI increase of 3.9% and most income-related benefits by the Rossi index increase of 2.3%.

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