Lord Peter Hain calls for Extension of deadline for Troubles Victims payment deadline

David Young, Belfast News Letter and Irish News, July 20th, 2024

THE UK Government should act in the interests of “justice and decency” and extend a deadline to secure backdated payments under the Troubles victims’ pension scheme, a former Secretary of State has urged.

Lord Peter Hain’s comments come as newly appointed Secretary of State Hilary Benn confirmed he was considering the move.

The payments scheme, which offers financial support for people who suffered physical injury or psychological trauma during the conflict, will close to new applicants in two years’ time.

But the cut-off point for one specific element of the scheme – access to a one-off tax-free payment backdated to 2014 – will come at the end of next month, on August 30.

Applications received after that point will still be considered for the annual pension payments going forward but will not be eligible for the lump-sum backdated payment.

The previous government faced calls to extend the deadline, including from Labour peer Lord Hain and victims’ campaign groups.

They raised concerns that not enough had been done to raise awareness around the existence of the UK-wide scheme beyond Northern Ireland, meaning victims in Britain might be oblivious to the support potentially on offer.

Reiterating his request for a deadline extension, Lord Hain told the PA news agency: “This is a fundamental matter of justice and decency which is why months ago I asked the previous secretary of state [Chris Heaton-Harris] to remove next month’s deadline for lump-sum payments, which for many victims could be lifesavers.”

Lord Hain has reiterated his call to extended the deadline to access a one-off tax-free payment backdated to 2014 under the Troubles victims’ pension scheme

Kenny Donaldson, director of victims’ advocacy group the South East Fermanagh Foundation, said it was “highly regrettable” that the previous government had not sanctioned an extension of the deadline.

Mr Donaldson said more work was needed to raise awareness about the scheme before any deadline expired.

“We have consistently made the point that the deadline for backdated payments to be eligible is unfair and that it penalises those living in peripheral regions. This includes victims and survivors located across Great Britain,” he said.

“ This is a fundamental matter of justice and decency which is why months ago I asked the previous secretary of state to remove next month’s deadline for lump-sum payments

“Much is said of the scheme’s national status and whilst this is true within the letter of the law, little to no focus has taken place in raising awareness of the scheme’s existence, so practically, that ‘national’ claim lacks credibility.

“We have endeavoured to our best, but without adequate resourcing our effectiveness is very much curtailed.”

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office said: “The secretary of state is considering evidence to determine whether an extension to the period for backdated payments is warranted. He will advise on that decision as quickly as possible.”