Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Veterans Welfare Services

21 November 2023 · 21 other contributors

Opened by Johnny Mercer Con Somerton and Frome

Veterans

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Johnny Mercer raised concerns about veterans welfare services in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Government updated House on work to improve welfare services for veterans
  • Experience of being a veteran has transformed under current Prime Minister
  • Government commissioned independent review into seven bodies including Veterans UK

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Johnny Mercer

With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I updated the House on the Government's work to improve welfare services for veterans. Under the current Prime Minister, the experience of being a veteran has transformed with the introduction of defined pathways for housing and healthcare backed by record funding. The government commissioned an independent review into seven bodies including Veterans UK, which was published in July 2023. The government accepts the majority of the review's recommendations and plans to respond formally by year-end. Key changes include retiring the 'Veterans UK' brand in 2024 with a replacement to be announced later, renaming the Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families as ‘Minister for Defence People and Families’ for clarity on coordination responsibilities, exploring options to transform Veterans’ Gateway, and improving digitisation through a £40 million programme. The government aims to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran by ensuring efficient and effective services.

Other contributors (21)
  • Luke Pollard Lab Co-op Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

    Question

    Asked when the Government would publish its full response to the independent review, as it is due by year-end with only a few weeks remaining.

    Minister reply

    The Minister did not provide an exact date but acknowledged that the formal response was due by the end of the year and promised to ensure that welfare services for veterans and their families are efficient and effective.

  • Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen

    Question

    Inquired about what more can be done to support veterans during winter, given the cost of living crisis.

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by veterans and families due to rising costs and assured that efforts are being made to ensure that veterans have access to necessary services and support.

  • Luke Pollard Lab Co-op Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

    Question

    Inquires about the delayed Government response to the independent review of UK veteran welfare services. Raises concerns over worsening support for veterans, lack of action on promises, and the need for a single strategy inclusive of family members and bereaved. Questions training needs and capacity shortages in casework management, as well as digitisation programme expenditure on veterans' welfare services.

    Minister reply

    Responds by stating that Labour's questions are not relevant to veterans' affairs and accuses them of playing politics with veterans. Reiterates commitment to delivering ID cards by the end of 2023 and acknowledges efforts in improving resources for Veterans UK.

  • James Sunderland

    Question

    Thanks the Minister and asks about his vision for what comes after Veterans UK, referencing a previous survey on the organisation.

    Minister reply

    Tributes James Sunderland's work in APPG on veterans and acknowledges the need to improve clarity around Veterans UK functions. Mentions quinquennial review into armed forces compensation tied with full response to the veterans' welfare review by year-end.

  • Patricia Gibson SNP

    Question

    Questions the Minister's statement, highlighting its inadequacy in addressing the cost of living crisis affecting veterans. Asks about lobbying efforts and support for veterans missing out on pension credit due to military compensation awards.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the importance of cost of living support and mentions funds available through the Royal British Legion and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. Emphasises improvements in veteran welfare over the last seven years.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Question

    Queries about Government strategy drawing on experienced charities such as Veterans Aid.

    Minister reply

    Pays tribute to veterans' charities and highlights examples of collaboration with Op Courage and Op Fortitude.

  • Emma Lewell-Bentley Lab South Shields

    Question

    Asks about the Minister's response regarding nuclear test veterans who were blood tested in the '50s and '60s.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges efforts to deliver the medal for nuclear test veterans and denies a cover-up, emphasising the need to act maturely.

  • Darren Henry Con

    Question

    Inquires about support for small veteran charities like Forces in the Community.

    Minister reply

    References the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust providing £10 million annually to support vital charities, large and small.

  • Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North

    Question

    Asks about plans for a fitting 80th anniversary tribute to veterans of Operation Overlord and Operation Market Garden.

    Minister reply

    Pays tribute to the hon. Member’s work and confirms Government plans to honour these veterans appropriately next year.

  • Siobhan Baillie Con

    Question

    Asks about the transition period towards new veteran services post-Vets UK, particularly concerning VUK.

    Minister reply

    Explains the retirement of the Vets UK brand and vision for improving support through Veterans’ Gateway.

  • Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

    Question

    Inquires about discussions with DWP or Treasury regarding benefits changes that might affect veterans.

    Minister reply

    States he has not discussed this issue, avoiding commenting on the upcoming autumn statement.

  • Douglas Ross Con Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Question

    Welcomes the statement on war widows' pension issue but raises concerns that fewer than 400 women may not get the expected money from the UK Government despite previous announcements.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges his work since 2017 and expresses satisfaction with the ex-gratia payment, although it does not replace a pension. Reiterates that such payments should be available to everyone entitled but agrees to review the points raised.

  • Steve McCabe Lab Birmingham, Selly Oak

    Question

    Questions the Government’s position on frozen pensions for ex-service personnel living abroad and suggests they deserve special treatment.

    Minister reply

    Considers this a difficult Treasury policy area but acknowledges veterans' desire for uprated pensions. Promises to advocate continuously for them as a special case.

  • Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin

    Question

    Praises the Minister’s efforts and commends improvements in veteran support over the years, highlighting his constituency's Battle Back Centre.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges significant progress but remains committed to improving veterans' care further. Invites the Minister to visit various centres for a better understanding.

  • Owen Thompson Con Taunton Deane

    Question

    Asks for assurances regarding a root-and-branch review of existing complaints and services within Veterans UK.

    Minister reply

    Clarifies that retiring the Veterans UK brand does not imply rebranding, emphasising changes to interrelationships between bereavement, compensation, and welfare services.

  • Matthew Offord Con Hendon

    Question

    Welcomes the Minister's role in veteran support and shares a personal case of a veteran who received necessary help through his intervention.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the work done by his office to assist individual cases. Mentions Op Fortitude, aimed at ending homelessness among veterans this Christmas.

  • Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield

    Question

    Asks for further details on what will replace Veterans UK and how it aligns with the Government’s response to the review.

    Minister reply

    Sets objectives focusing on accountability, resourcing, digitisation, and improving outcomes in compensation. Emphasises a journey towards better veterans care.

  • Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann

    Question

    Requests assurances for the support of Northern Ireland veterans who have experienced traumatic events and barriers to care.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges ongoing work in Northern Ireland, including funding the NIVSO (£500,000) and respecting devolved authorities while aiming for standardised veteran support.

  • Grahame Morris Lab Easington

    Question

    Thanked the Minister for his update and highlighted the work of the East Durham Veterans Trust in providing mental health support. Mentioned the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers' pioneering telephone-based app. Proposed a veterans’ bank holiday to highlight their welfare, noting that the UK is behind on number of bank holidays.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledged the idea of a veterans’ bank holiday positively and mentioned ongoing efforts such as Op Courage, which spends between £22 million and £24 million annually and had 19,000 referrals in its first year. Emphasised commitment to reducing unmet mental health need among veterans.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Welcomed the Minister's statement and recognised his understanding of veterans’ issues from both service and personal nature. Inquired about pilot funding for level-up medical and welfare services in Northern Ireland, asking if all veterans would qualify regardless of length of service.

    Minister reply

    Confirmed there is no criterion based on length of service for eligibility; qualification is based on 24 hours’ service. Emphasised the commitment to supporting veterans irrespective of where they served within the UK.

Shadow Comment

Luke Pollard

Thanking the Minister, Luke Pollard stated that Labour is proud of its veterans but criticised the statement for lacking substance. He questioned when the full Government response to the independent review would be published as it was due by year-end with only a few weeks remaining. The review highlighted issues such as an impenetrable welfare system and out-dated paper records, leading Pollard to ask how much of the £40 million digitisation programme will go towards veterans’ welfare services and when outdated reliance on paper records would end. He also questioned staff training needs and capacity shortages in light of over-stretched welfare managers and a high turnover rate.

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