WAR PENSIONS AGENCY
TRANSFERRED TO MOD
As part of the restructuring of Government announced by the Prime
Minister on Friday, the War Pensions Agency (WPA) is today transferred
to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The transfer of the Agency to the MoD, a Department with which it has always
had strong links, will ensure that veterans receive an all-round modern
service.
The Agency's move to the MoD will build on other steps taken to
improve the service for veterans such as the appointment of a Minister
of Veterans' Affairs earlier this year.
The Minister's appointment provides a single focal point for all
veterans' issues, improving the co-ordination of services available.
The WPA will now be ideally placed to play a lead part in providing
those co-ordinated services.
As he announced the transfer, Alistair Darling, Secretary of State
for Work and Pensions, paid tribute to both veterans and staff:
"The war veterans who have made so many sacrifices for their country
and for all of us who are privileged to live in a democracy deserve the
best service we can provide. The transfer of the WPA to MoD will
streamline and improve the services offered to them.
"As the Agency moves to MoD I would also like to thank the many staff who
have been delivering an excellent service to veterans since the Agency was
established in 1994."
Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon said: "The War Pensions Agency
provides an excellent service to our veterans and
their widows". "This move will allow the Ministry of Defence
to provide a fully comprehensive and integrated
programme for veterans under the stewardship of the Minister for Veterans'
Affairs."
Notes for Editors
1. The War Pensions Agency was established as an Executive Agency
within the Department of Social Security in 1994. Prior to this it
had been a discrete unit within DSS Benefits Agency.
2. The Agency has three main responsibilities:
The War Pensions Scheme - WPA is responsible for all aspects of the
assessment and payment of war disability and war widow's pensions to
approximately 280,000 beneficiaries, 22,000 of whom live outside the
The War Pensioners' Welfare Service - WPWS provides a comprehensive
advice and support service to all war pensioners and war widows living
in the
from a network of 27 welfare offices, each of which has responsibility
for a particular geographical area.
Ilford Park Polish Home - IPPH is a residential and nursing home in
Stover,
3. The Agency employs just over 1,000 staff, the majority of which
are employed at the main office headquarters at Norcross on the Fylde Coast.
The remainder are employed within the War Pensioners Welfare
Service and the Ilford Park Polish Home.
4. In November 2000, when the first Government Beacon Scheme was
launched, the Agency was announced as one of a group of just 23
organisations named as "exemplars of excellence". It holds Charter
Mark and Investors in People accreditation.
5. War Pensions Agency and MoD already have close links because the
MoD provides the Service records required by War Pensions Agency when considering
cases. These links have been strengthened recently by the joint
MoD/DSS Compensation Review, the emerging recommendations from which are
currently the subject of public consultation.
Website address http://www.mod.uk