Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will fully implement the findings of the Etherton Review.

The Government accepts the intent behind all of Lord Etherton’s recommendations and Defence continues to work at pace to deliver them. As of 4 March 2025, 42 of the 49 recommendations have been implemented, with work to implement the outstanding seven recommendations underway, demonstrating our commitment to supporting the LGBT veteran community.

Out of the seven remaining recommendations, two are for Defence and five are for Department of Health and Social Care. The two for Defence include recommendation 44 focusing on female veterans affected by the ban; this will be implemented as part of the new inclusive veterans’ strategy. Recommendation 17 to implement a dedicated memorial to LGBT personnel at the National Memorial Arboretum; this is expected to be unveiled before the end of the 2025. Defence officials are also supporting Department of Health and Social Care colleagues with progressing their five remaining recommendations (recommendations 31, 35, 36, 38 and 42), which are all for the NHS.

Defence encourages those affected to apply for non-financial restorative measures and the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme by completing the application forms available at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps.