Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces: Transition into Employment

Monday 24 May 2021 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial responses indicate that 84% of service leavers were employed within six months of leaving in 2019-20.
  • The Government will issue statutory guidance to local authorities to ensure no veteran is at a disadvantage when the Armed Forces Bill becomes the Armed Forces Act.
  • The MOD provides support to service leavers for two years, starting two years before they leave the armed forces.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Employment Veterans
Context

The question addresses the challenges faced by armed forces personnel transitioning to civilian life and employment.

Question

I am concerned about the steps that have been taken to improve the transition of armed forces personnel into employment. What steps has he taken?

Answer from Leo Docherty

In 2019-20, 84% of service leavers were employed within six months of leaving—the higher than the UK employment rate of 76%. We support people transitioning out of the armed forces with the Career Transition Partnership and Defence Transition Services. We have also introduced a national insurance holiday for employers and veterans and a guaranteed entry scheme for veterans seeking to join the civil service.

Answered
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Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Veterans
Context

The question addresses the lack of employment focus in the Armed Forces Bill and asks for steps to work with local charities and authorities.

Question

Despite employment not being covered by the Government's Armed Forces Bill, will he outline what steps are being taken to work specifically with local charities and local authorities to ensure that the talent and skills of ex-service personnel are utilised in civilian life?

Answer from Leo Docherty

When it comes to local authorities, we will, when the Armed Forces Bill becomes the Armed Forces Act, issue statutory guidance to ensure that no veteran is at disadvantage. I hope that all local authorities will take that on board and deliver for our veterans in the local community.

Partly answered

Not addressed: statutory guidance rather than specific steps with charities

How: Under Review, Not Covered By Bill

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Q3 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Employment Veterans
Context

The question highlights the narrow focus of the Armed Forces Bill and asks for an expansion to ensure all covenant promises are delivered.

Question

Getting a decent job is key to a successful transition to civilian life, but the Armed Forces Bill does not include responsibility for employment or transition. Service charities have said that the Bill is too narrowly focused, so why will he not widen the scope of the Bill?

Answer from Leo Docherty

When it comes to transition, it starts two years before someone actually leaves the armed forces and lasts for two years after they leave. The support that the MOD provides to service leavers lasts for two years, but we must bear in mind that overwhelmingly the vast majority find gainful employment within six months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: two-year transition period instead of expanding Bill's scope

How: Under Review

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Q4 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Defence Veterans
Context

The question addresses the difficulties faced by veterans who have a final posting far from where they plan to settle.

Question

For my constituents in Liverpool, West Derby who have dedicated themselves to working in the armed forces, the transition to civilian life and employment can be incredibly difficult for them and their families. Having a final posting located far from where they plan to resettle can also have a detrimental impact on the whole process. What steps is his Department taking to address this issue?

Answer from Leo Docherty

Family life is at the heart of service, and service families are an integral part of the defence community. We want flexibility and choice when it comes to choices that families make, and that is why we are bringing forward our families strategy, which will include things like wraparound childcare and a range of other initiatives.

Not addressed: family life and strategy instead of relocation challenges

How: Changing Subject

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Q5 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Veterans
Context

The question addresses the Cobseo report noting only one mention of self-employment in the annual covenant report.

Question

Cobseo, the Confederation of Service Charities has noted that there was only one mention of self-employment or business ownership in the 2020 armed forces covenant annual report. With the pandemic making it more likely that veterans will have to explore self-employment as a viable career option, what action is he taking to ensure that he supports self-employment within the veteran community?

Answer from Leo Docherty

We support service personnel transitioning out and seeking to start their own businesses and be self-employed through the career transition partnership, which is a hugely successful initiative. We recognise that veterans bring some of the key skills to successful self-employment: initiative, discipline and the tendency to work extremely hard.

Answered
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Q6 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Veterans
Context

The question addresses survey results suggesting that recruiters are concerned about hiring service leavers due to negative mental health perceptions.

Question

A survey by the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association has suggested that almost half of recruiters would worry about hiring a service leaver because of concerns around negative mental health. While the Government's proposed national insurance relief for businesses that hire veterans is welcome, it does not tackle the root cause of the problem. What are the Government doing to address the misconceptions employers may have about veterans?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I welcome the hon. Lady to her place, and I wish her well in her new appointment. The key thing we can all do is not talk down our veterans but instead talk them up.

Not addressed: misconceptions among employers

How: Changing Subject

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