Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications his Department had (a) received and (b) paid for the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme on 29 May 2025; and what steps he is taking to decrease the time taken to make those payments.

The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme launched in December 2024, and as of 2 June 2025, the Scheme had received 1,054 applications, and 39 applicants had received their payment.

The first payments were made within 16 weeks of the Scheme opening and payments are continuing to be made. The Independent Panel and Appeals Board Members were both recruited on 13 May 2025, and the Independent Panel had their first sitting on 21 May 2025.

We are mindful of the need for timeliness, although it is a complex process, and the Scheme needs to be delivered effectively and correctly. The Scheme continues to make progress with applications, with process capacity expected to increase in the coming months. Priority has been given to applicants with life limiting health conditions and those aged 80 and over. Reflecting our focus on the most vulnerable veterans without delay.