Vincent Cable MP supports Campaign for Veterans Deafened by War

12.41.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th Sep 2005

Vincent Cable MP is backing RNID's campaign urging the Government to address problems facing thousands of deafened veterans.

Vincent Cable has signed an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to lower the level of hearing loss needed to qualify for compensation. This will allow people whose hearing was damaged when serving their country to be adequately compensated.

RNID, the largest charity representing the nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, believes the Government's current criteria for awarding compensation for hearing loss does not deliver sufficient compensation for those suffering from hearing loss as a result of exposure to noise during their military service. Indeed, most claimants are not qualifying for any assistance at all and around 90% of veterans who have applied for compensation for deafness in the last five years have been refused.

Vincent Cable says: "RNID's campaign is extremely important and affects many veterans, not only from the Second World War but also from more recent conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

"Many servicemen and women will experience hearing loss because of their time in the armed forces and I urge everyone to support RNID's campaign by signing their petition. Your support in signing the petition will put pressure on the Government to initiate changes so that the qualifying level is lowered and veterans are compensated appropriately."

To sign or obtain a copy of the petition please contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 or text 0808 808 9000.