Veterans Charities Demand Higher Compensation for LGBT Troops

Charities representing LGBT veterans have called for a review of the government's compensation cap, which is currently set at £50 million for victims of the military's historic 'gay ban'. With an estimated 4,000 veterans eligible for compensation, this equates to an average payout of only £12,500, deemed 'unacceptably low' by organizations such as the Royal British Legion and Fighting With Pride. Survivors of the ban, which lasted until 2000, faced severe mistreatment including dishonorable discharge and imprisonment, leading to lifelong hardships. In a joint letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, these charities argue that the proposed compensation fails to honor the sacrifices of those affected and does not provide adequate justice. The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged the past mistreatment and is set to launch the compensation scheme in January, but critics insist that the current funding level does not reflect the severity of the injustices suffered. The call for an increased compensation amount follows an independent review that recommended more than 40 changes to address the wrongs of the past, with compensation being the only item yet to be fully agreed upon.