New Legion service for bereaved families
Independent Inquest Advice, a new service to help bereaved Armed Forces families prepare for and deal with the inquest process involved in investigating deaths in Service, was launched by the Legion last week. It provides free, independent and expert legal advice and assistance, from professionally-qualified lawyers, to support bereaved Service families through what can be a confusing and frustrating process at an already difficult and painful time.
Independent Inquest Advice is the result of consultations carried out as part of the Legion's "Honour the Covenant" campaign begun in 2007. At meetings jointly hosted by the War Widows Association with bereaved Service families, feedback emphasised the lack of knowledge of the inquest procedure, and the lack of availability of legal advice and other assistance at the inquest and other inquiries.
back to top Legion meets new and old MPs
After allowing the new Parliament a few months to find its feet the Legion held a reception on 7 July in the Members’ Dining Room of the House of Commons. Both new MPs and old faces were given the opportunity to meet Legion representatives from their own local areas and head office.
Over 100 MPs and 30 Peers heard the National President, Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely, open proceedings by welcoming Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, the Secretary of State for Defence, and the assembled guests. James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire, Chair of the Armed Forces All Party Parliamentary Group, then said a few words before inviting Chris Simpkins, Director General, to speak.
back to top Gulf War Illness update
Following April’s publication by the United States (US) Institute of Medicine's (IoM) report the Health Effects of Serving in the Gulf War, Lord Morris of Manchester initiated a debate in the House of Lords on 28 June. The IoM's Report is the third in a series of reports emerging from the US over the last six months, the previous reports being the Research Advisory Report on Gulf War Illness
and the US Gulf War Illnesses Task Force Report.
It was hoped that following the release of this latest report, the new Coalition Government would initiate a new programme of research and support to the many Gulf War veterans who continue to suffer from a range of illnesses, the causes of which remain unknown. Disappointingly, the Coalition Government, represented in the debate by Lord Astor of Hever, has delayed making any decision until they see a further task force report from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, a group specifically created to consider any necessary amendments to their own compensation schemes based on the new review of scientific evidence.
The Legion has written to Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, outlining our disappointment that the UK are once again going to further delay any response to the extensive work being carried out in the US.
back to top A new covenant
At the end of last month the Prime Minister announced
that he intends to enshrine the military covenant, the nation’s responsibility towards its Armed Forces, in law for the first time. David Cameron announced that a new covenant, including rights to priority treatment on the NHS, decent housing and education for Service families' children, is to be given legal force in a new Armed Services Bill. It seems that the Legion’s Honour the Covenant campaign is still making waves three years after its launch.
back to top Age exemption for Foreign and Commonwealth spouses.
On 6 April 2010, the Home Office announced a reduction in the minimum age from 21 to 18 at which a serving member of the Armed Forces may sponsor a visa for a spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner who is also aged over 18 and who is from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to enter or remain in the UK. The minimum age requirement was originally raised from 18 as a measure against forced marriages but this exemption for Armed Forces members was sought as the new rule meant some Gurkhas and other Foreign and Commonwealth recruits could not bring their partners to the UK.
back to top Possible inheritance tax savings for veterans
Families of war veterans may be able to make use of the ‘death in active service’ inheritance tax exemption to make large tax savings. Stephen Scown solicitors recently used the exemption for the estate of an 85-year-old former soldier who sustained injuries in Burma in 1944 and who died in 2006. The man’s family saved £250,000. This tax exemption can be used by anyone who dies from wounds, accident or disease contracted while on active service with the Armed Forces.
back to top Higher rate DLA for sight impairment
As of April 2011 the higher rate of mobility component of Disability Living Allowance will be available to those with severe sight impairment. This could be a welcome boost for some of the Legion’s beneficiaries experiencing a big barrier to independent mobility.
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