Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Veterans’ Welfare 2023-03-13 (2)

2023-03-13

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TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Angela Eagle Lab
Wallasey
▸ Context
Veterans have reported difficulties in accessing support services, including financial compensation.
What recent steps has Veterans UK taken to support veterans and their families. The Ministry of Defence is investing over £40 million in digitising old paper-based practices. Will this make a significant difference?
Andrew Murrison
The Ministry of Defence is investing over £40 million to digitise old paper-based practices, improving processes and creating a single entry point for pensions and compensation by the end of 2024. A new digital claims service has been launched making it easier for veterans to process their claims.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Alex Norris Lab Co-op
Nottingham North and Kimberley
▸ Context
A review on the armed forces compensation scheme found that processes are burdensome and distressing for claimants, with a fall in successful claims from 66% to 47%. The final report is expected soon.
Can the Minister confirm when the review will report and what he thinks about the findings of a falling success rate in compensation claims?
Andrew Murrison
The final report will be delivered within a few weeks. The Minister is concerned about reports of poor service but notes there were 122 complaints versus 1,715 thank you letters.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific response to the success rate and timeline for Government's response
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Angela Eagle Lab
Wallasey
▸ Context
Veterans and their families have had difficulty engaging with the quinquennial review of the armed forces compensation scheme. The system is reportedly slow, difficult to engage with, and not user-friendly.
When will the Minister publish the review's findings? How will he make the system easier for veterans to use?
Andrew Murrison
The service is being digitised to bring it into the 21st century. The proportion of cases going to tribunal has been falling since 2014-15, indicating improvements in the service.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for making the system easier for veterans to engage with
Response accuracy