Britain's nuclear test heroes have the backing of former Army officer and Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer in their battle for justice.
Survivors of government Cold War radiation experiments constantly have claims for war pensions rejected, despite scientific evidence of genetic damage causing a legacy of rare disease.
Mr Mercer has pledged to make the pensions scheme fit for purpose and help end their 70-year struggle with the Ministry of Defence.
He said: “The hostility towards this group of veterans has to change. I don’t want anybody who served this country feeling that way. We can do that if we treat people fairly.”
Campaigners told him in a Zoom conference call that veterans with multiple chronic health conditions had to fill 22-page application forms designed for modern combat – seeking details of witnesses, commanding officers and health and safety matters.
Now a review has been ordered to streamline nuclear veterans’ claims process.
There will be a dedicated page on the Veterans UK website detailing the illnesses and types of service which the Government admits led to radiation exposure.
Mr Mercer also vowed to probe the medal review promised in 2018 which, a freedom of information request shows, has not had a meeting attended by all members.
Comedian Al Murray, who has led the medal campaign, believed Mr Mercer is “on our side”.
British Nuclear Test Veterans Association chairman Alan Owen was “cautiously optimistic of pensions reform” but stressed “it needs to be done at pace”.
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