Veterans 'fight for pensions'

Len Tingle Editor Politics Show Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Thousands of retired armed forces veterans are complaining that they have not had a penny in pensions from their years in uniform, because they were forgotten when benefits to military personnel were improved in 1975.

Diddled by the MoD, the pensioners washing cars to make ends meet.

For over 30 years, recruitment officers for the army, navy and airforce have been able to tempt young people into joining up.

The financial benefits included a pension based on the number of years spent in uniform.

But until a change in the law in 1975 anybody in the ranks had to serve a minimum of 22 years before qualifying for any pension at all.

Hundreds of thousands left before that date after years of service but without reaching the minimum time required to qualify for a pension.

Missing pension

Many were in their 20s and 30s when they returned to civilian life and it is only in the past few years that they have reached retirement age and are realising how much they are missing out.

"It's years lost to us," says Peter White from Harrogate. "I spent 12 years in the RAF. I built up a pension in my later job with the civil service but I've never been able catch up on all that time without pension contributions."

As Sergeant Peter White, he was a communications specialist with the Lincolnshire-based Vulcan Bombers which were the main carriers of nuclear deterrent throughout the cold war.

By 1974, with Polaris submarines, taking over that role, Peter and thousands like him were given no choice but to leave the RAF with no chance of reaching 22 years of service.

Angry campaigners

The MOD said "It will cost billions to pay the pensions."

In 2007 the Armed Services Pension Group was set up after a meeting of angry pensioners in Harrogate.

It estimates that at that stage 800,000 former UK servicemen and women were at retirement age with no pension from their years of service.

It has tried legal action; petitions and lobbied Parliament. The government and the Ministry of Defence will not change its mind.

In a statement issued by the MOD it repeated the argument which the pensioners have met every time that it would cost billions to pay pensions to those who left the military before 1975.

In parliament in 2007 the then Armed Service Minister said there had to be a cut-off point. He also pointed out that for the thousands who have served since 1975, pension provision has improved.

It is not an argument that cuts much ice with Peter White. "I suppose the Government and the MOD is just keeping the argument going" he says.

"They know that if ever we win our case many of us will have died before they have to pay out anything."

Clare Frisby presents The Politics Show for Yorkshire Lincolnshire from 12:00 on BBC One.