Support for Veterans 2024-03-25
2024-03-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Recent concerns about the cost of living impacting veterans and their families.
What recent steps has Veterans UK taken to support veterans and their families with the cost of living?
With other Government Departments, the Ministry of Defence delivers a range of services to our brilliant veterans and their families. That includes the administration and payment of armed forces pensions and compensation, the provision of tailored advice and assistance through the veterans welfare service, defence transition services and the integrated personal commissioning for veterans.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A Northumbria University report highlights issues of suicide among serving personnel and veterans, suggesting better understanding within care provision is necessary.
What steps is the Minister taking, alongside our NHS, to deliver compassionate trauma-informed support for serving personnel and veterans?
I am glad that the hon. Lady has raised that issue. She will know that we have a defence suicide prevention strategy, which is reviewed regularly. We are looking very closely at that to better understand the reasons for it and how we can prevent it.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps not detailed, only mentions reviewing the existing strategy without additional measures.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent's loss of disability living allowance and move to personal independence payments, now ineligibility.
Is that really the way to treat our veterans who are eligible for disability living allowance but then become ineligible?
I am very sorry to hear about the hon. Lady's constituent. If she would like to write to me with the details, I will be more than happy to take up that case.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific eligibility process and reconsideration not addressed; asked for individual case submission instead of a general response.
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Previous work on behalf of female veterans and women in the armed forces; setting up an all-party group.
Can my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government remain committed not just to equal treatment for women in the armed forces, but to an equally positive experience?
I can absolutely give my hon. Friend that assurance... We have improvements to uniform policies, mentoring, flexible service, wrapround childcare, and of course our zero tolerance for unacceptable sexual behaviour.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Government figures showing an increase in veteran homelessness despite pledges; specific statistics provided.
Can the Minister tell me what he is doing to ensure that veterans in Birmingham and across the UK, who made enormous sacrifices for our safety and security, do not end up homeless?
We are doing everything in our power to ensure that people are set up well for civilian life as they transition out of the armed forces... By using measures such as the defence transition service, we minimise the number of people who have served in our armed forces and are left without a home.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific homelessness reduction strategies not detailed; general statement on minimising issues provided.
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Excellent work of Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall for treating injured serving and ex-service personnel.
Would he, or perhaps the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, consider visiting the centre soon?
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for the invitation, which I will most gladly take up... I pay tribute to Battle Back, which does a wonderful job.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
Veteran Roy Sagar's passing at age 90 in Morley; contributions to veterans and the Royal British Legion.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in paying tribute to Roy and all our unsung hero veterans for all they do, and in sending thoughts and prayers to Roy's family?
Yes, I very much do so... Our veterans are a wonderful part of our communities and deserve all the support we can give them. I also pay tribute to the Royal British Legion, which is always there for our veterans when they need it.
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Royal British Legion Industries reported that 6,000 veterans are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs hailed getting 500 off the streets as a triumph.
I appreciate the Minister's earlier answer, but when Royal British Legion Industries says that 6,000 veterans are homeless or in danger of becoming so, is there a need for more urgent intervention, or is the Minister for Veterans' Affairs right to hail getting 500 off the streets as a triumph?
I think that getting 500 off the streets is good—it is certainly a start—but one person without a home is one too many, whether they are a civilian or a veteran. The important thing is that we look at factors that might be peculiar to defence that predispose people to homelessness, because we have a particular duty to those people in accordance with the military covenant.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific need for more urgent intervention was not addressed
Response accuracy