Andrew Stunell MP urges Government to address problems facing thousands of deafened veterans

1.56.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Oct 2005

Local MP, Andrew Stunell has called on the Government to lower the level of hearing loss needed to qualify for armed forces compensation. This will allow people whose hearing was damaged when serving their country to be adequately compensated.

Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell, said:

"Many veterans, from the Second World War and from more recent conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq, have suffered hearing loss.

"I am calling for the Government to lower the qualifying level so that veterans are compensated appropriately."

Chris Underwood, Head of Campaigns at RNID said:

"RNID has undertaken extensive consultation with the UK's leading scientists specialising in hearing loss, and research with over 1,500 veterans, to discover the true extent of the flaws in the current compensation criteria and the effects these have on thousands of veterans.

"The results show the need for substantial reform and the fact that the Government's understanding of hearing loss, and the effects this has on a person's life, is outdated and unsuitable.

"It's time to recognise the sacrifices that deafened veterans have made for their country."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. For more information, please contact RNID's Information Line: 0808 808 0123 or text 0808 808 9000

2. The text of the Parliamentary motion is:

RNID'S VETERANS' CAMPAIGN

That this House expresses concern that many ex-servicemen and women who have suffered substantial hearing loss as a result of their service in the armed forces are being denied compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme; notes that a service person has to suffer a hearing loss of 50 decibels before being compensated, a level often only experienced naturally by elderly people; further notes that this is not the case across the European Union and the Commonwealth, where the qualifying level of hearing loss is much lower; further notes that criteria for compensation ignore the fact that noise-induced hearing loss associated with service brings forward the age at which an individual will experience severe difficulties in everyday communication and social participation; therefore believes that the Government's criteria for assessing compensation for deafened veterans is failing to deliver sufficient recognition for those who have made great sacrifices for their country; and therefore joins RNID and ex-service organisations in calling upon the Government to lower the qualifying level of hearing loss in order to ensure that all those who have served in the armed forces are compensated appropriately for any disability, and that those currently serving their country are not let down when their service ends.