Nuclear test veterans - compensation
A group of 1,011 services veterans and civilians from the UK, Fiji and New Zealand have attempted to obtain a compensation hearing against the Ministry of Defence relating to alleged illnesses caused by exposure to radiation in nuclear weapons tests during the 1950s. However, in March 2012 the Supreme Court ruled against the Atomic Veterans’ case proceeding and the Government says it has no plans to pay compensation.
A group of 1,011 services veterans and civilians from the UK, Fiji and New Zealand attempted to obtain a compensation hearing against the Ministry of Defence relating to alleged illnesses caused by exposure to radiation in nuclear weapons tests during the 1950s.
In November 2010 the Court of Appeal upheld an MoD request to overturn a previous judgment waiving limitation requirements for a group of lead cases. In July 2011 the Supreme Court agreed to consider an appeal of this decision, but in March 2012 it ruled against the Atomic Veterans’ case proceeding. In the light of this, the Government says it has no plans to pay compensation.