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Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pensions

Asked by Dr Ben SpencerConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 2 June 2026UIN 3376

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any additional operational capacity has been introduced to address backlogs in War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claims following the IT transition.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

The War Pension Scheme (WPS) IT system moved to Compendia Touch (CT) in September 2024. Following digitisation in November 2022, claim volumes rose sharply, creating a backlog as processing slowed.

A WPS taskforce, formed in Spring 2025 and bolstered by 16 new hires, is driving real improvements under the guidance of an Executive Steering Committee. This has enabled the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to stabilise the system and start to reduce claim backlogs. Resources have been optimised through multi-skilling, reprioritisation, overtime, and weekend working to reduce backlogs.

Informed by lessons learnt from WPS, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) system transformation is underway, with the go-live date expected in early 2027 to ensure readiness.

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