Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces Covenant

Monday 5 July 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Osborne questioned the Government's claim that the Armed Forces Bill would impose a responsibility on government departments to deliver the armed forces covenant.
  • The Government stated that statutory guidance provides a best practice template for local authorities to follow, ensuring veterans and service people are not disadvantaged.
  • Stephanie Peacock raised concerns about nuclear test veterans being refused support and recognition under the armed forces covenant.
  • The Government responded that the Advisory Military Sub-Committee, which is independent, reviewed the case of nuclear test programme veterans and concluded it did not meet the necessary criteria for recognition.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
NHS Education Veterans
Context

The Government claims to be strengthening the armed forces covenant through legislation, but there are concerns about its effectiveness in addressing veterans' needs.

Question

I am concerned that while the Government claim the Armed Forces Bill will enshrine the armed forces covenant into law, it does not impose a responsibility on government departments like the Ministry of Defence to deliver the covenant. The focus on housing, healthcare, and education risks creating a two-tier system with unequal access to services based on location. How will you ensure that we eliminate this postcode lottery for veterans in accessing vital services?

Answer from Leo Docherty

The statutory guidance issued ensures a best practice template for every local authority to follow, ensuring that veterans and service people are not disadvantaged in their locality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or timelines to eliminate the postcode lottery.

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Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
NHS Education Veterans
Context

The Government is working to enshrine the armed forces covenant into law, but concerns persist about its effectiveness in addressing veterans' needs.

Question

I am concerned that while the Government claim the Armed Forces Bill will enshrine the armed forces covenant into law, it does not impose a responsibility on government departments like the Ministry of Defence to deliver the covenant. The focus on housing, healthcare, and education risks creating a two-tier system with unequal access to services based on location. How will you ensure that we eliminate this postcode lottery for veterans in accessing vital services?

Answer from Leo Docherty

The statutory guidance ensures a best practice template for every local authority to follow, ensuring that veterans and service people are not disadvantaged in their locality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or timelines to eliminate the postcode lottery.

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Q3 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Veterans
Context

There is a group of veterans known as nuclear test veterans who have suffered from cancers, blood disorders and rare diseases as a result of their service. They have been refused support, recognition, compensation and a medal for their service.

Question

The armed forces covenant is the debt that this country owes to our servicemen and women who have served our country. One such group are the nuclear test veterans who have suffered from cancers, blood disorders and rare diseases as a result of their service. They have been refused support, recognition, compensation and a medal for their service. Will the Minister review the Government's position on this issue and agree to meet the nuclear veterans?

Answer from Leo Docherty

Historic medallic recognition cases are a matter for the independent Advisory Military Sub-Committee. Last year, it considered the case of nuclear test programme veterans and concluded that it did not meet the necessary criteria.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to reviewing or meeting with nuclear veterans.

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