10 February 2025

Lord Paddick appointed as Chair of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Independent Panel

The Minister for Veterans and People is pleased to announce the appointment of Lord Paddick as Chair of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Independent Panel. 

His appointment will commence on 12 February 2025 and run until 11 February 2027. This is a Direct Ministerial Appointment and the Chair’s Terms of Reference have been published at Annex A.

The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Independent Panel will be responsible for reviewing and making fair and equitable determinations on applications for an LGBT Impact Payment.

More details on the scheme can be found at Veterans of the LGBT Ban: Financial Recognition Scheme.

Annex A: Summary of Terms of Reference - Chair of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Independent Panel

Role 

The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Independent Panel (LGBT FRS IP) is empowered to make financial Recognition determinations for FRS applications for LGBT Impact Payments presented to it by its Secretariat Support Staff. The role is non-statutory. These recommendations will be shared only with appropriate MOD officials and the applicant, or their representative.

Responsibility  

The Chair is responsible for leading the LGBT FRS IP. The Chair is responsible for communicating all outcomes agreed by the LGBT FRS IP. The role of the IP Chair will include reviewing a casefile for each applicant (containing details submitted within the application, supporting documents, Service records etc), attending a sitting alongside other panel members and determining the appropriate award amount for each application (in line with the tariff framework).

The Chair (via the IP Secretariat) is responsible for ensuring that there are sufficiently planned IP sittings to cater for the thorough review of application cases and the avoidance of undue delay. 

The Chair is responsible for ensuring that each case is reviewed equitably and fairly, and a decision is agreed on. The Chair will guide and advise the IP on the administrative process to ensure that the IP operates as it should with compassion, understanding, equity and fairness for every case which is brought before the IP. 

After a decision is made on each case, there are to be a set of accompanying notes which explain how the IP came to the decision (notes will be taken as part of the secretary duties of the IP Secretariat; who are accountable to the IP Chair, as the notes will form part of the IP record and will be the basis for the FRS determination letter to the applicant).  

All applications and discussions with respect of all business connected with the IP are to be considered and treated as confidential at all times and are only to be discussed with those parties who have a legitimate interest in the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme. 

Expertise  

The IP Chair should have some experience in legislative processes or code of conduct casework or employment law processes. 

The IP Chair is to have credentials which show that they are aware of the LGBTQ community and/or have experience which includes a detailed understanding of the rights of LGBTQ individuals or have knowledge or experience of the dynamics of the LGBTQ community, and/or have experience, or have a demonstrable track record in other forms of diversity/equality issues or work. 

IP Chair Responsibilities  

To follow the Seven Principles of Public Life and to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Chair is also to ensure that the IP members abide and follow the same. 

• To have a detailed knowledge of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme rules and the guidance to decision makers.
• To raise any concerns or issues with the scheme rules or guidance to decision makers to the LGBT RA SRO.
• To be very familiar with the LGBT Independent Review by Lord Etherton.
• To chair IP meetings as scheduled; be that in person meetings or virtual meetings. Seek advice from the LGBT RA SRO for any issues with attendance and seek their guidance if unable to attend.
• To maintain an effective working relationship with the IP Secretariat who will provide administrative support to the IP.
• To ensure members of the IP review and assess applications as presented to the IP by Secretariat for pre-arranged IP meetings.
• To be prepared and have read the applications prior to chairing IP meetings in order to participate fully within the IP meetings.
• To make fair and equitable determinations in line with the guidance for decision makers and the scheme rules.
• To ensure that the IP is led effectively and fairly, and that there are measured and professional discussions amongst all IP members in order to reach an agreement on the determination outcome for the applicant. Where an agreement is not reached by all IP members, the IP Chair will have the final decision.
• To complete a Declaration of Interest prior to taking up the appointment and to update the Declaration of Interest as necessary as interests change and annually.
• To declare any interests about the applications under consideration to the LGBT RA SRO for their guidance and direction.
• To ensure and reinforce that they themselves, nor any member of the IP, discusses any application, with any party, other than those directly involved with the delivery of the recommendation unless advised by the LGBT RA SRO that a discussion can take place.