Manchester City Council will ask the government to recompense and recognise the chronic effects of radiation on nuclear test veterans.
This morning the council resolved to urge central government to provide a financial compensation scheme and access to medical records for nuclear test veterans and their families.
A public inquiry into the injustice which has occurred to the nuclear test veteran community has also been proposed to the government.
Labour councillor Thomas Judge led the motion – aiming to raise awareness about the impact nuclear radiation has had on the veteran community.
The military veteran said approximately 22,000 British soldiers were sent on atomic and nuclear weapons tests between October 1952 and November 1991 – of which many were from Manchester.
It is believed there are now fewer than 2,000 surviving veterans.
He said: “Over seven decades, these people have been waiting.
“It’s shameful situation. Young people from this city were put in danger and are now struggling to get compensation for that danger.”
The effects of these tests has left thousands of veterans suffering from chronic health issues, premature death and fathering children with life-altering health conditions.
Councillor Richard Fletcher seconded Judge’s stance, describing the trauma caused to veterans by not having access to their full medical records.
He said: “It isn’t just a case for veterans, but their children and grandchildren as well.”
Fletcher went on to describe the health fear consequent generations of nuclear testing veterans may face.
He said: “Whenever they develop a serious cold or a headache or any kind of health problem that might seem minor to most people, they’re always asking themselves, is this a start of something?”
Liberal Democrat councillor John Leech also voiced his opinion to the Manchester councillors, asking central government to commit to their previous promise of recognising and recompensing veterans.
Featured Image: Hannah Ahmed
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Perhaps they should make a drama series out of it- worked for the post masters so blatantly wronged by big corporate. Sad state of democracy