The government has allocated over £31 million to compensate 949 LGBTQ veterans affected by the historical ban on homosexual individuals serving in the armed forces. The Ministry of Defence has increased its payments team and implemented an automated processing system to expedite applications to the Financial Recognition Scheme.
The ban, which persisted until 2000 despite the decriminalization of homosexuality, led to the dismissal of numerous individuals from the Army, Royal Navy, and RAF. Many faced harassment, bullying, involuntary outing, and even imprisonment due to their sexual orientation.
Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the past injustices suffered by LGBTQ personnel. The Financial Recognition Scheme acknowledges the mistreatment of LGBTQ personnel between 1967 and 2000 and is set to conclude in December 2026.
Fighting With Pride, a charity supporting LGBTQ+ Armed Forces, commended the progress but emphasized the need for improved decision-making speed and inclusion of veterans dismissed before 1967 in reparations. The charity urged the government to enhance awareness efforts to ensure all eligible veterans benefit from the scheme.
Claire Ashton, a transgender veteran who experienced bullying while serving in the Royal Artillery, welcomed the payments as a significant milestone. King Charles recently paid tribute to LGBT+ armed forces veterans at a memorial event, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging past injustices and supporting those affected by the ban on service.