Armed forces welfare

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on the welfare of the armed forces. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs. For information on war pensions go to sickness, disability and carers' benefits

Standard Notes

Date	Description
01.02.2013	Nuclear test veterans - compensation
	A group of 1,011 services veterans and civilians from the UK, Fiji and New Zealand have attempted to obtain a compensation hearing against the Ministry of Defence relating to alleged illnesses caused by exposure to radiation in nuclear weapons tests during the 1950s. However, in March 2012 the Supreme Court ruled against the Atomic Veterans' case proceeding and the Government says it has no plans to pay compensation.
04.01.2013	The Armed Forces Covenant
	The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the Government and the Armed Forces. It was published in May 2011 and its core principles were enshrined in law, for the first time, in the Armed Forces Act 2011. It applies to all three services. The Government published the first annual report in December 2012.
16.11.2011	Gurkha Pensions
	This note looks at the pension arrangements for Gurkhas
09.06.2011	Armed Forces Covenant
	The Government published the first tri-Service Armed Forces Covenant on 16 May 2011. This note examines the background to the Covenant and some of the measures to support it that the Government intends to introduce over the next few years.
07.03.2011	Armed Forces Pension Scheme, legacy issues
	Looks at campaigns for retrospective improvements of armed forces pensions

Research Papers

Date	Description
08.01.2004	Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill (Bill 10 2003/04)
	Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill (Bill 10 2003/04). House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/05.
16.12.1999	Social sec. war pension and National Insurance provisions in the Child Support Pensions and Social Security Bill (Bill 9 1999/2000)
	Social security, war pension and National Insurance provisions in the Child Support Pensions and Social Security Bill (Bill 9 of 1999/2000). House of Commons Library Research Paper 99/108.

Select Committee Reports

Date	Description
29.06.2009	Service families accommodation.
	Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

Date	Description
22.06.2011	90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SCOTLAND MAYBOLE BRANCH
	That this House celebrates the 90th birthday of the Maybole (Ayrshire) branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, the first ever branch to be formed in the UK; and recognises the ...
21.06.2011	ATOMIC TEST VETERANS (No. 2)
	That this House recognises the sacrifice of the UK's atomic test veterans; notes that many test veterans are now ill; further notes that many countries have paid compensation to ex-service ...
31.01.2011	INDEXATION OF BENEFITS AND PENSIONS FOR ARMED SERVICE PERSONNEL
	That this House recognises and honours the immense courage and patriotism shown by UK armed service personnel and their dependants; commits to providing them with the highest levels ...
19.01.2011	90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
	That this House congratulates the Royal British Legion on its 90th anniversary in 2011; notes that, out of the horrors of The Great War of 1914 to 1918, The British Legion was formed ...
18.10.2010	ABF SOLDIERS CHARITY AND CHALLENGE 66
	That this House applauds the attempts by Mr Andy McMenemy to run 66 marathons in 66 days in each of the 66 official cities of the UK; notes the support he has given to the ABF Soldiers ...

POST Papers

Date	Description
05.12.2011	Explosive Injuries
	This briefing provides a background to explosive injury, explores developments in mitigation science, and highlights research priorities.