Hilary Meredith-Beckham calls for investigation into MoD delays impacting military claims

Hilary Meredith-Beckham has called for an investigation into whether delays within Government departments are contributing to hold-ups in military injury claims and increasing legal costs for taxpayers.

The call follows reporting by The Telegraph around office attendance and productivity across parts of Whitehall, amid continuing debate over hybrid working arrangements within the Civil Service. The report says managers have “no control” over remote staff who are “taking advantage” of flexible working arrangements, with one saying Whitehall offices were “like the Mary Celeste” on Fridays.

Internal absence records obtained by The Telegraph reportedly showed some civil servants had stayed away from the office for more than two years in some cases.

Hilary Meredith-Beckham, chair of Hilary Meredith Solicitors, which represents serving personnel and veterans in military injury claims, said her firm had experienced increasing delays in responses and decision-making in cases involving the Ministry of Defence.

She said:

“Our clients are former or serving Armed Forces personnel who are coping with serious physical or psychological injuries while also facing financial uncertainty.

“Our experience is that these cases are simply taking longer than they used to, with slower responses and increasing delays in decision-making.

“We first started noticing these issues during the Covid period and things have never really returned to where they were previously.

“We are also hearing increasingly from clients and veterans about delays in dealing with Veterans UK matters, adding further frustration and uncertainty for those seeking support and resolution.

“Where cases become unnecessarily drawn out, it can leave injured service personnel and their families facing prolonged uncertainty at an already difficult time.

“It also raises wider concerns for taxpayers. If litigation is being unnecessarily prolonged because Government departments are operating inefficiently, the legal costs inevitably increase.”

Hilary added:

“Military compensation claims often require extensive disclosure, expert evidence and ongoing engagement with multiple Government departments, lawyers and decision-makers, meaning delays at any stage can significantly prolong resolution.

“These are not commercial disputes between corporations. These are cases involving people who have served their country, many of whom simply want answers, treatment and closure.

“Given the growing concerns around Civil Service efficiency, I am calling for a full investigation into whether these delays are having a direct impact on injured service personnel and the cost of litigation to the taxpayer.

“Our Armed Forces personnel deserve an efficient and properly resourced system that deals with claims promptly and fairly.”