Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to assist injured members of the British Armed Forces including the Ulster Defence Regiment and their relatives to claim from the Victims' Payment Scheme.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government understands the need to support potential applicants, which is why the Victims Payments regulations make it clear that the Board is required to have regard to the need to prioritise, and be responsive to, the victims of Troubles-related incidents.
The regulations are also clear that for any person making an application, or considering whether to make an application, the Victim’s Payments Board must make arrangements for facilitating access to advice and support, and help victims obtain evidence necessary to support the claim.
These support provisions will be available to all individuals applying for the scheme, including members of the Armed Forces - in addition to existing pension and compensation schemes which provide support for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families, such as the War Pension scheme.
The Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for delivery of the scheme, and will want to be as open as possible with the public about preparations and progress. We will continue to prioritise supporting the Executive’s delivery of this scheme.