Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces Families: “Living in our Shoes” Report

Monday 7 November 2022 · 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

  • The Government is funding wraparound childcare and supporting children's education as part of assistance to armed forces families.
  • The Minister intends to update Andrew Selous on progress made through the service family steering group meetings.
  • The Ministry of Defence urges families to contact their welfare officer through the Veterans Agency for support in child maintenance cases.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Selous Con
Defence Children & Families
Context

The 'Living in our Shoes' report contains recommendations aimed at improving support and quality of life for armed forces families. The MP has published a comprehensive report detailing the needs and challenges faced by these families.

Question

What steps are being taken to implement the recommendations of the 'Living in our Shoes' report?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

Funding wraparound childcare and supporting children's education are part of the evolving assistance to armed forces families. The armed forces families strategy, published in January, sets out the Government's response to 'Living in our Shoes' and aims for more sympathetic policies fit for the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps and timeline for implementing each recommendation were not provided.

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Q2 Andrew Selous Con
Veterans
Context

The 'Living in our Shoes' report has outlined numerous recommendations for improving the welfare of service families. The MP is concerned about transparency regarding the implementation of these measures.

Question

Will the Government make public each of the six monthly service family steering group meetings and the progress that has been made on each of the 106 accepted recommendations, ensuring parity in support for veterans and service families?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The Minister is sympathetic to the hon. Friend's concerns about supporting service families and intends to update him on progress as a result of his report. He also highlighted the veterans strategy published earlier this year, which covered many aspects of service families.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific updates or public disclosure plans were not provided.

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Q3 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Defence Children & Families
Context

There is confusion within the Ministry of Defence regarding deductions from earnings in child maintenance cases, affecting some service personnel and their families.

Question

How is the Ministry of Defence ensuring that families get the support they are entitled to in child maintenance cases?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The Minister outlined various ways of supporting families and urged those concerned to contact their welfare officer through the Veterans Agency or start with the veterans gateway for assistance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures addressing child maintenance issues were not provided.

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