Support for Veterans 2023-11-20
2023-11-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question addresses the actions taken by the Department of Defence to assist veterans and their families.
What steps his Department is taking to support veterans?
The Ministry of Defence delivers a range of services to veterans and their families, including the administration and payment of armed forces pensions and compensation, and tailored advice and assistance through the Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Transition Services and integrated personal commissioning for veterans.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question concerns the issue of veterans losing out on nearly £6,000 annually due to their compensations being classed as income when applying for means-tested benefits.
When veterans and their families are compensated for the detrimental impact their service has had on their lives, that is unjustly classed as income when applying for means-tested benefits, rendering veterans and their families ineligible for welfare support under UK Government control. Will the Minister pledge his support for the Royal British Legion's Credit their Service campaign?
Of course the MOD works with the DWP on a range of issues. Compensation is set in the full knowledge of how it will be dealt with under the benefits system in the UK. By most measures, the armed forces compensation scheme and the war pension scheme are felt to be sound and appropriate for awarding significant amounts of money to those who have served our country.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not pledge support for the Royal British Legion's Credit their Service campaign or commit to working with DWP to disregard compensation when applying for means-tested benefits.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The question highlights the Poppies to Paddington operation by The Veterans Charity in North Devon, which collected 231 wreaths from the Great Western Railway region for Remembrance Day.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking The Veterans Charity in North Devon for their Poppies to Paddington operation?
I absolutely will, and I add my congratulations to my hon. Friend's in thanking The Veterans Charity in North Devon. It is important to reflect on those who give so much in the service of our country.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The number of veterans claiming universal credit has increased by nearly a third over the past year, leading to concerns about their ability to cope with the cost of living.
Over the past year, the number of veterans claiming universal credit has increased by 31.6%, which is nearly a third. Does the Minister recognise that some long-term sick who his party has been attacking in the media are veterans with physical and mental health challenges?
The hon. Gentleman will know that universal credit is an in-work benefit. Within the system, there are allowances that we offer to our veterans that can be improved. As he knows, that is why we have instituted the quinquennial review and the independent review of veterans' welfare services.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not acknowledge the increase in veterans claiming Universal Credit due to economic failure or provide specific advice on rhetoric regarding long-term sick veterans.
Response accuracy