Service Personnel and their Families

Service personnel and their families need the next government to: 

• Keep the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme under continual, independent review and:
  - change the standard of proof so that where evidence is inconclusive, the benefit of the doubt is given to the injured Service person;
  - remove the link between lump-sum awards and ongoing payments to reflect the fact that they are paid for different reasons;
  - allow claims relating to injuries or illnesses caused by medical treatment;
  - remove the time limits to lodge a claim; and
  - exempt payments when carrying out means-testing for State benefits.
• Stop breaches of harmony guidelines (deployment rates) in order to reduce family separation and breakdown.
• Bring all single and family accommodation up to the highest standard within the lifetime of the next parliament and ensure that the Ministry of Defence publishes full details of the funding and timescales needed to upgrade Armed Forces housing.
• Introduce health screening and monitoring for Service personnel and vulnerable dependants and ensure priority is given to those deployed for extended periods, their partners and those medically downgraded.
• Introduce more effective prevention and treatment strategies to tackle mental health problems, binge drinking and drug abuse.
• Assess the impact of mobility on Armed Forces families, especially in relation to health, employment and education.

"I love the RAF, and I'm proud to have served all over the world, but I love my little girl Amy too, and I worry about the effects my career has on her and my wife, Julie. We have to move around so much, and the housing is often not up to scratch. I just want the politicians to make sure my family is looked after and that my daughter has the home she deserves."

The stories contained in this manifesto are for illustrative purposes only and are based on issues and experiences that the Legion is aware of through its work.