Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for War Pension Scheme reviews to be completed.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently managing a high volume of War Pension Scheme (WPS) cases, which has resulted in longer processing times. We remain fully committed to improving performance and reducing delays in claim processing. To address these challenges, the Department has implemented a range of targeted measures:

Flexible resource management: Teams now have the ability to reallocate resources as needed, while staff are being trained in multiple skillsets to enhance efficiency and build greater resilience across operations.

Accelerated processing: Overtime and weekend working have been introduced to expedite the clearance of outstanding claims.

Increased capacity: Additional administrative and caseworker staff have been recruited to strengthen processing capabilities and improve overall throughput.

Process and IT optimisation: a dedicated Taskforce team has been established to support improved delivery, including initiatives such as developing access to primary healthcare reports and introducing Straight Through Processing.

The MOD places the highest priority on claims from terminally ill individuals, ensuring they are fast-tracked at every stage.