LGBT Veterans Independent Review

Lord Cashman Excerpts

Monday 23rd February 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Cashman]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards implementing the recommendations of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review, published in July 2023, with particular regard to the Financial Recognition Scheme.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Coaker) (Lab)]

My Lords, I will start answering this Question by paying tribute to Lord Etherton—we would not be having Questions such as this were it not for him—and the noble Lords, Lord Cashman and Lord Lexden. We should remind ourselves of the work people do in this House and the progress they make.

The Government have implemented 48 of the 49 recommendations, including 14 restorative measures and the LGBT financial recognition scheme. I encourage affected veterans to visit GOV.UK for information on these schemes. The outstanding recommendation focused on the ban’s long-term consequences for female veterans and will be achieved through work starting this year, following the commitment in this Government’s veterans strategy to better understand and support women veterans.

[Lord Cashman (Non-Afl)]

I thank my noble friend the Minister for that statement and, equally, for his kind words. I also pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Lexden, and the noble and learned Lord, Lord Etherton. This is a great example of what we can do when we act cross-party in the common good. I congratulate my noble friend, the Government and the previous Government on the work done to implement the late noble and learned Lord’s recommendations. However, sadly, I must express the concern of the charity Fighting With Pride, and my own concerns, regarding the delays in implementing financial reparations, and some discharged and dismissed payments appeals which appear contrary to the letter and the spirit of the review.

It is important that the Government act swiftly. Many who were discharged or forced out, or had their service terminated, are in their later years. Sadly, many are in ill health. Therefore, I ask my noble friend the Minister: what further measures will the Government take to speed up the delivery of financial reparations, and to address the concerns raised regarding dismissed and discharged payment appeals? Now is the time to finally deliver the justice so deserved by these brave LGBT veterans who, to quote the late Lord Etherton, were so shamefully treated.

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

We all associate with the remarks my noble friend just made with respect to the shameful way in which people were treated between 1967 and 2001. On the timeliness of the financial recognition scheme and the direct payments, the Government are working hard to ensure that we get to those who are the most seriously ill and the most elderly first so that they get the recognition that they deserve. On the impact part of the financial recognition scheme, the Government are going to increase the number of panels from two to three—I notice the noble Lord, Lord Paddick, in his place—which will allow three meetings of those panels each week. We are also appointing an additional chair. We think those measures, reaching out to local councils, reaching out to veterans’ charities and increasing the numbers of panels should speed up the process to ensure that we get to those veterans who need that support.