Veterans’ Welfare 2023-03-13
2023-03-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Minister of State for Defence Procurement was questioned on the assessment made by his Department regarding progress in improving veterans' welfare.
What assessment has his Department made of progress on improving veterans' welfare?
On 2 March, I jointly commissioned with the Minister for Veterans' Affairs a review into the role and scope of Government welfare provision and services for veterans. The review will focus on examining the effectiveness and efficiency of welfare services for veterans, and help it to do better as part of a programme of continual improvement.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked for recognition of armed forces breakfast clubs providing support to veterans and serving personnel, with a proposal for additional Government support.
Will the Minister join me in praising those who are involved in organising armed forces breakfast clubs and set out what additional support the Government can provide for these fantastic veteran-led organisations?
Armed forces and veterans breakfast clubs are an excellent initiative with 150,000 members across 14 countries. They provide a sense of belonging and community to many who have served our country. The Minister expressed his personal interest in visiting the hon. Member's breakfast club.
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Assessment & feedback
Additional support provided by the Government was not specified.
Praising The Initiative Without Concrete Actions
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
A constituent served in armed forces for over two decades but faced significant financial barriers to retraining due to being treated as a foreign student.
Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss the case of Mr Graham and other people who may seek to retrain following long service in our armed forces, but find themselves facing significant financial barriers to do so?
At present, an adult must be ordinarily resident in England on the first day of the first academic year of their course and throughout the three years immediately preceding that date to be eligible for funding. The matter is primarily one for the Department for Education, but the Minister will meet with his hon. Friend to discuss it.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked for attention to be paid to different veteran experiences across the UK's four nations.
What efforts will be made through the recently announced review of veterans' experiences? What attention will be paid to the different experiences of veterans in the four nations?
The Minister looks forward to discussing with the hon. Member later this week, noting that the review is aimed at understanding better how to support veterans effectively in each nation.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific efforts and timelines were not detailed.
Discussed Later Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticized the Government's handling of veteran services over the past decade, questioning timelines for a new review.
When can we expect the review to be completed and its findings published? Action is needed now to fix failures such as longer waiting times for mental health support and lack of ID cards.
The Minister anticipates the review being completed within three months. Vets UK received 1,715 thank you letters versus 122 complaints since April last year, indicating a high level of satisfaction among veterans with their service.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to address failures were not outlined.
Emphasizing The Positive Aspects Without Addressing Issues
Response accuracy