David Cameron is being urged to intervene to guarantee the Ministry of Defence offers 60 veterans along with terminal cancer from asbestos exposure the exact same compensation rights as civilians and others ex-soldiers.
The Prime Minister is facing calls from military figures, medical experts and politicians to close a loophole that means dozens of dying former soldiers will certainly miss out on out on a lump-amount payouts.
In December, defence officials changed the rules to enable those suffering from mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos throughout their time in service to take their compensation as a swelling amount very compared to a pension, after a campaign led by The Independent.
But the change, which comes in to effect from April, does not use to those that were diagnosed prior to December last year. And time is operating out for dozens of veterans, a few of whom have actually months to live.
Fred Minall, a 74-year-old Royal Navy veteran dying of the cancer, and others prominent figures have actually now created to Mr Cameron demanding urgent action.
The letter is being handed in to Number 10 today. Among the signatories are Admiral Lord West, former Chief of Naval Staff, Professor Julian Peto, Cancer Study UK chair of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation.
“We request that every one of qualifying veterans be treated equally, despite the date of their diagnosis along with mesothelioma, as is morally called for under the armed forces covenant,” the letter says.
“We additionally request that the investment of equal treatment for the two veterans and their widows/families, be pursued by ministers along with every one of due haste, since people are dying.”
For years, veterans along with mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure that taken place decades ago might use just for a pension, in contrast to the Government’s scheme for civilian patients, that are eligible for a swelling sum.
The MoD announced a modification of policy at the end of last year, Yet it just applies to those diagnosed on or after 16 December 2015. This means that regarding 60 veterans currently dying from the health problem will certainly not benefit.
Lord West, that will certainly increase the issue throughout a reviewing of the Armed Forces Bill in the Estate of Lords tomorrow, told The Independent: “This little group of veterans need to be considered worthy of ‘special’ status within the terms of the armed forces covenant, in light of the two their restricted life expectancy and the severity of their discomfort and suffering.”
Cross-bench peer Lord Alton said: “Their exclusion defies logic and fairness.”
In a statement an MoD spokesperson said: “This is a complex issue but, as the minister has actually suggested previously, this Government is inspired to guarantee that every one of mesothelioma claimants obtain reasonable treatment. We chance to offer a beneficial update over the coming weeks.”
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