Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the military pension and the interaction of that pension with other state benefits in the provision of financial support to veterans on low incomes.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a good working relationship with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), ensuring there is effective and efficient interaction between benefits; there is no evidence that veterans are disadvantaged by current arrangements. The MOD took over administration of the War Pension Scheme (WPS) from DWP in 2000; it is currently delivered by Veterans UK (part of Defence Business Services). The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) provides recompense for Service-related injuries sustained since 2005; in 2013 this introduced the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) in conjunction with the DWP. It simplifies financial support for seriously injured Service Personnel, providing payments equivalent to DWP’s Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Those entitled to a Guaranteed Income Payment of 50 per cent or higher through the AFCS are eligible for AFIP but cannot simultaneously receive PIP. Those receiving payments from WPS or the AFCS face no reduction to their Universal Credit.