Sir Keir Starmer told BBC News NI he was “pleased progress had been made” on the plans, drawn up jointly by the UK and Irish governments.
The proposals, agreed by London and Dublin, are aimed at replacing the Conservative government’s controversial Legacy Act with a new framework for truth recovery, justice and accountability for Troubles-related cases.
“We have made a provision for veterans in relation to it, the protections have been put in place,” he said.
When asked if the protections extended to everyone who came forward, including paramilitaries, he replied: “No, it’s for veterans.”
He added that the “next thing that needs to happen” is the introduction of legislation to implement the proposals and stressed: “I want this to work.”
Sir Keir rejected suggestions that prioritising veterans risked giving the impression that their experiences were more important than those of victims.
“No, not at all,” he said. “I worked in Northern Ireland for five years so I know how important accountability and truth and justice is for all the victims.
“Other governments have failed on this, the last government badly. I want this to work… and I have in my mind’s eye the victims who’ve waited a very, very long time for the accountability that they deserve.”
The prime minister also defended his government’s appointment of Dutch conflict resolution expert Fleur Ravensbergen to examine whether engaging with paramilitary groups could help encourage disbandment.
Based at the University of Amsterdam, Ms Ravensbergen is expected to meet representatives of loyalist and republican organisations in the coming months before publishing a report next August.
Sir Keir said paramilitaries were still having a damaging effect in parts of Northern Ireland.
“That is intolerable, and it is our job to do whatever we can to alleviate that for those communities, and that’s the sole purpose of this role,” he said. “So that doesn’t deflect from my condemnation of paramilitaries, not in the slightest.”
The Labour leader dismissed speculation his premiership was “hanging by a thread” amid reports that Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is preparing a leadership challenge.
Sir Keir Starmer (PA)
News Catch Up – Thursday 25th September
He also declined to comment on whether people in Northern Ireland should be allowed to vote in Irish presidential elections.
“I think that’s something that needs to be worked through.”
Sir Keir, speaking separately to BBC Midlands, also said the new legacy system would provide a route for long-running cases such as the Birmingham pub bombings.
He insisted the arrangements, agreed with Dublin and due to be legislated for in Westminster, were “designed to get to the bottom of all the legacy issues” and stressed to victims’ families that “they’re not forgotten and they will never be forgotten”.