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<p>Defence recognises and accepts that the policy that homosexuality was incompatible
with Service life was unacceptable and that its LGBT+ veteran community suffered as
a consequence. As part of the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan 2022-2024, the Ministry
of Defence (MOD) and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (part of the Cabinet Office)
co-commissioned Lord Etherton PC Kt QC to chair an independent review into the impact
of this policy. Once completed, Lord Etherton will send a report containing his recommendations
to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and The Secretary of State for Defence.
The Government will then decide what action to take.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD is not
aware of any instances in which the accrued right to a pension has been forfeited
because of the member’s sexual orientation; Service personnel dismissed or discharged
in respect of their sexuality retained their accrued pension rights. There are no
provisions of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme which are discriminatory on the basis
of a member’s sexuality. Accordingly, it is not possible in law to amend the scheme
rules so that they have retrospective effect. As there is no existing discretion in
the Armed Forces pension rules to retrospectively deem pensionable service to have
been given in order to provide for additional pension entitlement, they are not an
appropriate vehicle for financial compensation.</p>
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