AN Army veteran feels “deserted” by the government after being refused disability benefits following an accident that left him paralysed.
Mark Houghton, who served in the military for 22 years, while on his way to get his hair cut in earlier this year.
Mark suffered a serious spinal injury on his way to get his hair cut in DubaiCredit: Lawrence Houghton
The dad has been receiving hospital treatment for multiple injuriesCredit: Supplied
The grandad-of-four had been working as a security contractor in the at the time.
His family crowd-funded to fly him home in March and he has been receiving hospital treatment for multiple injuries – including a broken neck – ever since.
Mark, who may never walk again, applied for personal independence payments (PIP) to support himself financially when he arrived back in the UK.
But he was told he is not eligible for the welfare benefit as he had been overseas for too long.
His son Lawrence said his father was “shocked” and feels “incredibly hard done by”.
He told The Sun: “My dad served his country for 22 years. He did six tours of military zones and he got an MBE for recognition of service. But he feels like the government has abandoned him now.”
Mark began his military career in the Royal Tank Regiment and later in the Small Arms School Corps.
He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2005.
The charity trustee retired as Warrant Officer Class 1 with several service medals the following year and transitioned into training and development roles in the security sector in the UAE.
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) rules stipulate that to qualify for PIP a person has to be present in the UK for 104 weeks out of the previous 156 weeks when a claim is made.
Lawrence said this means his dad will not be eligible for financial assistance until 2027.
Mark and his wife Sandra already had to take out a substantial loan to cover some of the £25,000 cost of flying him back home.
They have now been forced to sell their home in West End, Hants, as they can no longer afford their mortgage or to have it adapted for his disability.
It leaves no option but for the dad-of-two to go into a care home when he is eventually discharged from hospital in a few months.
Lawrence said: “He feels as though the system is broken. He’s paid taxes in Britain his entire life, including while he was abroad…
“He’s now effectively got to self-fund for two years, which – for somebody who’s not working – is dire.”
Mark was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2005 for his serviceCredit: Lawrence Houghton
Grandad-of-four Mark pictured with his son LawrenceCredit: SUPPLIED
He added: “The thought and prospect of going into a social care home, just because he’s not entitled to PIP and isn’t able to fund his own way, it just feels like a punishment.”
Lawrence wrote to his local MP to push for a change in the law.
He said: “The law is the law and unless that changes, the DWP can’t go by exception…
“I think we’ve kind of accepted that it’s probably not going to help dad, because the law takes a long time to change.
“But what I’m essentially doing is fighting for him to get some kind of justice and to help other people, because there are other people out there who are suffering with the same issue.”
Liz Jarvis, MP for Eastleigh, raised Mark’s plight in the House of Commons earlier this month.
She has been granted an adjournment debate in the Chamber on Tuesday to discuss support for disabled veterans with the relevant minister.
Brits injured in e-scooter crashes
E-SCOOTERS have become a staple mode of transport for Brits travelling abroad.
But they don’t come without a string of dangers, with dozens of tourists being injured – or killed – in crashes involving the e-scooters.
In 2019, a Brit tourist was put in intensive care after a freak accident while she was on holiday in the US.
The teen, who was 18 at the time, suffered a brain injury after the hired e-scooter she was riding on hit a pothole.
In 2021, a 21-year-old student was left with a deformed leg after her bone shattered during a horror e-scooter crash while in Rome.
The woman severed an artery when the e-moped she was on collided with a Smart Car in Rome.
She underwent three operations before being flown home and since returning to the UK had to undergo a further five.
At the time, Jayne Murphy, from Irwin Mitchell, said e-mopeds were one of a series of electric vehicles becoming popular across European holiday destinations.
She said: “Those using e-mopeds and e-scooters, whether at home or whilst on holiday, need to exercise caution as these vehicles are unfamiliar to other road users.”
MP Liz told The Sun: “It is appalling that Mark, who served his country with honour for over 20 years, is in this position.
“My team and I have been doing our best to support Mark and his family. He is a British citizen, they should not be having to fight for care.
“The DWP should make an exception in special circumstances like this.
“I am urging the Government to do more to support our disabled veterans.
“They deserve our respect, gratitude and support.”
The DWP said it recognises there are “issues” in the current system but insisted that PIP eligibility is dependent on being present in the UK for a certain amount of time.
A spokesperson said: “We are deeply thankful for Mr Houghton’s dedication to this country.
“Eligibility for Personal Independence Payment is dependent on being present in the UK for a specified period of time.
“We recognise issues in the current system which is why we have launched a ministerial review of PIP, in co-production with disabled people and the organisations that represent them, to ensure it is fit and fair for the future.”
