Veterans who served their country are now fighting a “battle with bureaucracy” as they wait many months or even years to gain the compensation that is rightly theirs for physical and mental injuries. There is outrage that ex-forces personnel who suffered mental scars from their deployments faced an average clearance time of more than nine months. Campaigners are demanding Andy Burnham takes action to help men and women who were prepared to die for the nation but are suffering upon their return to civilian life.
Average wait nearly doubles
The average wait of 186 working days – 37 weeks or over nine months – in 2025-26 for a mental injury claim is nearly double the 20 weeks it took in 2020-21 under the same Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). The median clearance time for physical or mental injury claims under the predecessor War Pension Scheme (WPS) was over a year and quarter - 361 working days or 72 weeks. And despite attempts to speed up the process, a lack of funding and staff means that even fast-track cases for the terminally ill or over-90s are now taking weeks to handle.
Ex-Defence Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson said: “Our veterans put their lives on the line for this country, and the least they are owed is a compensation system that works. Waiting the best part of a year, or in some cases far longer, for recognition of injuries suffered in service is simply unacceptable, and for those carrying mental scars it only adds to the burden. We make a solemn promise to our Armed Forces under the Covenant, and it must be honoured in practice, not just in words. Ministers should clear the backlog, speed up decisions and make sure no veteran is left waiting for what is rightfully theirs.”
Charities and politicians demand action
Veteran groups said the delays were failing people who need help. Ahead of today’s Remembrance Sunday, charity Help for Heroes is demanding improved healthcare access, financial security and support for veterans. Senior public affairs and policy manager George Lankester said: “Veterans who have been injured or made unwell through their service should not have to wait months, or even years, for a decision on compensation they are entitled to. Prolonged delays can create further uncertainty and financial insecurity for veterans and their families, at a time when they may already be facing significant challenges to their health, employment and ability to rebuild their lives. Help for Heroes' People's Promise campaign calls for a compensation system that works for veterans, not one that creates more obstacles for them. Veterans deserve timely decisions and the financial support they are entitled to.”
Shadow armed forces and veterans minister Mark Francois said: “These delays are shoddy treatment for our veterans, who, having served their country in uniform, deserve better.” A spokesperson from the Royal British Legion said: “We are acutely aware of ongoing challenges within both compensation schemes, particularly in relation to processing claims and delays to payments. We have long advocated for fair, accurate and appropriate compensation for those who have served, or are bereaved, and a system that treats people with compassion and minimises stress or anxiety for those making a claim. We want the government to deliver effective schemes that meet both current and emerging needs within the armed forces community. In the meantime, our specialist teams are there to support those who need to access to compensation they are entitled to.”
Politicians weigh in
Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood pressed for change, saying: “Our veterans should not have to fight a second battle with bureaucracy to secure the compensation they deserve. Having served their country, they should not be left waiting months, let alone years, for the country to honour its obligations to them. It's time to draw a line.” Reform UK defence spokesman Angus MacIntyre also demanded action, saying: “Our armed forces personnel put their lives on the line to defend this country. The very least they deserve is to receive the compensation they are entitled to without being forced to endure months or even years of bureaucratic delays. It is a disgrace that veterans who have sacrificed so much are being let down by a system that should be supporting them. Those who serve our country must never be made to fight another battle just to get what they are owed.”
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge warned “waiting over nine months is simply too long,” adding: “With in-year cuts being imposed on the MoD by Labour, I would not be surprised if this is another example of the human cost of Labour’s failure to properly fund defence.”
Government response
In response to parliamentary questions, minister for veterans and people Calvin Bailey said: “Over the past three years, resource levels within the AFCS have generally declined, particularly in the last 12 to 18 months, placing additional pressure on service delivery. Since mid-2025, the MoD has stabilised the system and reversed this downward trend, with current resources now expected to consistently meet demand. Since October 1, 2025, the MoD has operated under a recruitment freeze, allowing only limited increases in medical advisor and administrative roles. As headcount cannot be increased, current resources are optimised through multi-skilling and reprioritising essential operational tasks. Measures such as overtime and weekend working have also been introduced to accelerate the clearance of outstanding claims. At every stage of the AFCS process, claims from the terminally ill are given priority. In addition, the MoD Veterans Services remains available to all veterans, Service personnel, and their families, offering dedicated assistance and support.”
Along with staff shortages, new IT systems for WPS, system issues, training, and changes to established processes temporarily reduced processing capacity and contributed to backlogs. The MoD is also currently managing a high volume of WPS claims, which has resulted in longer clearance times, he added. A MoD spokesperson said: "We hugely value our service personnel and veterans and owe a debt of gratitude to all those who serve, often with great personal sacrifice. We are working at pace to get compensation to those eligible as quickly as possible, using overtime and weekend working to tackle outstanding claims, while prioritising those who are terminally ill."
The AFCS compensates for any injury, illness or death which was caused by service on or after April 6, 2005 and claims must be made within seven years, while the WPS has no time bar and offers compensation from the start of WWI. Received claims are considered on a case by case basis, with the burden of proof resting on the claimant. It pays compensation if there is legal liability, otherwise claims are defended robustly. Reasons for rejection include where the condition is not caused mainly by service or where there is insufficient supporting evidence.
