A CARMARTHENSHIRE MP is calling for the UK Government to alter benefit regulations.

Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, has joined the Royal British Legion’s credit their service campaign to amend the regulation that when veterans of the armed forces are going through welfare benefit means testing, their compensation which has been awarded for their sacrifice should not count as income.

Mr Edwards said: “Veterans and their families deserve the best possible care and support in recognition of the service they have given, and the sacrifices made.

“Treating this compensation as an income is the government simply giving with one hand and taking away with the other.

“I am proud to support this campaign by the Royal British Legion and thank them for their tireless work in bringing attention to these important issues on behalf of veterans.”

Ken Burton, Ammanford and Cross Hands British Legion president, said: “It is good to see our MP supporting the campaign launched by the Royal British Legion.

"The current system means that veterans and their families miss out on thousands of pounds a year.

“This is a clearly unacceptable situation. I am grateful to Mr Edwards for putting pressure on the government in this case and I hope that they will take meaningful action.”

Currently, more than 150,000 Armed Forces veterans and their families have been awarded compensation for the pain and loss they have endured in service.

This compensation currently counts as income when veterans are applying for welfare benefits and going through the means testing part of the application.

The Royal British Legion is calling for this to be amended so that they do not lose out on vital income from benefits.