Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces Champions in Jobcentres

Monday 7 February 2022 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The offer in jobcentres was updated in April 2021, boosting the network of armed forces champions to 50, supported by 11 area leads.
  • Veterans in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk can access support from their district armed forces champion regardless of the jobcentre location.
  • In Lincoln, the armed forces champion is working with councils and local homeless veterans to ensure suitable housing for veterans.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Karl McCartney Con
Employment Veterans
Context

The question arises from the need to support veterans and other members of the armed forces community in finding employment.

Question

What progress is being made by the work of armed forces champions in jobcentres. The scheme aims to ensure that veterans' talents are recognised and they can move quickly on to their next step after service.

Answer from Mims Davies

In April 2021, we updated the offer in our jobcentres, boosting our network of armed forces champions to 50, supported by 11 area leads. They are focused on providing key support to veterans and other members of the armed forces community.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Employment Benefits & Welfare Veterans
Context

The question addresses the need for veterans in constituencies such as the Scottish Borders to access support provided by their district armed forces champion.

Question

Can she confirm that veterans in my constituency, whether they attend a jobcentre in Hawick, Galashiels or Eyemouth, will be able to access the support offered by their district armed forces champion. The question seeks clarity on the availability of this support across different locations within a constituency.

Answer from Mims Davies

Yes, I can confirm that they will. The great work that is being done by our DWP armed forces champions in my hon. Friend's constituency is playing out, for example, in how the local champion from High Riggs jobcentre has already been working with the local council to secure bus passes for veterans.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Karl McCartney Con
Veterans
Context

The question focuses on delivering the champions scheme effectively to support a growing armed forces community, especially regarding RAF Waddington and the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Question

With Lincoln and Lincolnshire continuing to have a growing armed forces community—delivering the champions scheme along with other important parts of the armed forces covenant is important to my constituents. What more can be done in respect of the scheme to signpost veterans to these services?

Answer from Mims Davies

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. In Lincoln, the armed forces champion is already receiving good feedback in their role. They work with several councils and local homeless veterans to make sure that those veterans get suitable housing. They are also helping claimants who are veterans back into work, using the flexible support fund and working with local employers and employment agencies.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
NHS Employment Veterans
Context

The question highlights concerns about the reduction in funded full-time posts compared to previous promises.

Question

In theory this should be an excellent initiative, but the Minister will know that the previous veterans action plan promised to increase the number of Jobcentre Plus Armed Forces Champions and District Leads from around 45 unfunded, part-time posts. That is not happening, so how can the Minister claim to be supporting the work of armed forces champions while cutting the number of paid posts?

Answer from Mims Davies

We have a new model of 11 armed forces champion leads across the DWP districts. We are working with armed forces champions and the covenant locally. With covid, some of this upskilling and these add-ons were paused, but we are absolutely committed to making sure that our veterans get the best service at DWP.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The reduction in funded full-time posts

How: With Covid, Some Of This Upskilling And These Add-Ons Were Paused

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
NHS Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The question deals with security issues affecting ex-soldiers in Northern Ireland and the need to address these.

Question

What discussions have taken place with the Minister or with jobcentres in Northern Ireland to ensure that veterans in Northern Ireland can access these services?

Answer from Mims Davies

Universal credit now has an identifier to help us enhance support for all our claimants who may have a veteran background. Many people do not declare that background and can be working with us for a long time before they recognise that it needs to be understood.

Not addressed: Specific security measures or discussions on the issue

How: Universal Credit Now Has An Identifier

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email