The first payments to survivors of Japanese prisoner of war camps will began to arrive on Thursday.

The ex-gratia payments of £10,000 was agreed two months ago by MPs and will be sent to the 14,000 ex-military personnel, civilians or their survivors "in recognition of the unique circumstances of their captivity during the Second World War".

The government has agreed that there will no cut-off date for claims and the War Pensions Agency will process every claim received. In recognition of the age of the survivors and their years of waiting for government recognition, the agency has organised the payments in record time.

The social security minister, Hugh Bayley, said: "An effective partnership approach has helped action these payments, with WPA enlisting the help and advise of key ex-service organisations and charities."

Independent MP Martin Bell, who was among those who campaigned for the payment told epxNews: "I am delighted. This is great new - it's only 50 years late in arriving. There is no cause I am prouder to be associated with."