An evaluation has been carried out of the first year of operation of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme which came into force on 6 April 2005. Views were obtained from ex-service organisations, individual claimants and the staff who administer the scheme. The findings of the evaluation will be set out in a report which will be sent to members of the statutory Central Advisory Committee, established for the purposes of consultation in 1921 when the original War Pensions Scheme was introduced, for their final comment before the report is made available. Once this is complete I intend to publish the report, including placing a copy in the Library. While the evaluation was not a formal consultation exercise, in line with Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation, part of the report will include a summary of key issues identified as part of the consultation process.
The Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body submits their report to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Defence by January each year. An announcement, by means of a written ministerial statement, is made once the Government have considered the Review Body’s recommendations.