Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Veterans: Support

Thursday 8 December 2022 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have established the first UK Office for Veterans' Affairs and the first Minister for Veterans' Affairs who attends Cabinet.
  • A 44 million investment in digitising Veterans UK will see significant improvement in its service.
  • The Government are committed to building an ecosystem of veterans care that works with them to realise the country's responsibility to its veterans.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Levy
Veterans
Context

The MP is concerned about veterans' wellbeing and the services provided by organisations in his constituency.

Question

What steps are being taken to improve support for veterans? The MP noted that Blyth Valley has several veteran-supporting organisations such as Forward Assist, which offers various campaigns like “Salute Her” and a “One Stop” café. He also highlighted the importance of such support for ex-servicemen's physical and mental wellbeing.

Answer from Johnny Mercer

The Government have established the first UK Office for Veterans' Affairs and the first Minister for Veterans' Affairs who attends Cabinet. The Minister will deliver the veterans strategy action plan, which sets out 60 cross-Government commitments to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran by 2028.

Answered
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Q2 James Sunderland
Veterans
Context

The all-party group on veterans is conducting a survey to evaluate the experiences of veterans dealing with Veterans UK. The MP wants to commend this effort and ensure that findings are taken seriously by the government.

Question

Will the Minister commend the all-party group's veteran experience survey alongside OVA's, and undertake to take our findings seriously? Does he agree we must leave no stone unturned in all Government Departments?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

Certainly, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and his campaigning as well as the work of the APPG. A £44 million investment in digitising Veterans UK will see significant improvement in its service. However, this is an ongoing conversation and the Minister is willing to meet with him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment to take findings seriously was not explicitly confirmed

How: Under Review

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Q3 Ian Levy
Veterans
Context

The MP mentions a veteran's centenary celebration and organisations like Forward Assist that provide services such as “Salute Her” and a “One Stop” café. He also meets veterans like Jack Hearn for birthday celebrations.

Question

Support for ex-servicemen is vital for their physical and mental wellbeing, especially with well-known local organisations like Royal British Legion in Blyth and Cramlington, as well as Forward Assist in Dudley that runs “Salute Her” campaigns and its “One Stop” café. Will the Minister join me in wishing Jack a belated birthday and thanking those organisations?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

Of course I wish Jack a happy birthday, and I pay tribute to third sector provision across the country working tirelessly to support our veterans. The Government are committed to building an ecosystem of veterans care that works with them to realise our country's responsibility to our veterans.

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Q4 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Veterans
Context

The MP highlights a case of a Commonwealth veteran medically discharged from service and returned to the UK with visa waiver thanks to his campaign. He wants to ensure that foreign and Commonwealth service personnel are supported properly.

Question

Does the Minister agree those who travel here to serve our country deserve support, and what measures will be taken to assist them and their families post-service?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for his tireless campaigning on this issue over many years, resulting in waiving visa fees for non-UK service personnel. The Minister's views will remain unchanged regardless of his position.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures not detailed

How: Under Review

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Q5 Alan Brown SNP
Veterans
Context

The MP met Help for Heroes, a charity utilising LIBOR funding to support veterans with specialist wheelchairs and mobility aids. He enquires about the replacement of the Veterans Mobility Fund that is ending.

Question

What assessment has been made on potential replacement funding streams for veteran mobility aid needs and what internal discussions have there been?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I am aware that the veterans mobility fund is ending as its LIBOR funding has ended. We are seeking to replace it with a more sustainable, evidence-based process ensuring specialist needs are met without reduction in service and possibly improved. The Minister is willing to meet the hon. Member to discuss further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific replacement details not provided

How: Under Review

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Q6 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Veterans
Context

The MP points out that only 3% of veterans received ID cards since their announcement nearly four years ago. The Minister previously stated the roll-out would be completed by next summer.

Question

Can the Minister explain how the remaining 97% will receive an ID card in a matter of months?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

Yes, I am more than happy to explain that we can issue ID cards to those leaving service due to easy verification. The £44 million investment in Veterans UK will enable digital success early next year, starting ID card issuance next summer. The Minister looks forward to working with the hon. Lady.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific distribution method not detailed

How: Under Review

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Q7 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Veterans
Context

The question arises from concerns over the slow progress in issuing veteran ID cards. The Minister previously stated a commitment to roll out the cards but has not met expectations.

Question

I note that the Minister says he will “start” delivering rather than complete it, but I welcome his determination to get veteran ID cards finally rolled out. However, making bold statements will not divert from the fact that his Government have failed to deliver for our veterans and their families. Whether it is due to incompetence or to negligence, at the current rate it will take more than 100 years to issue all those veteran ID cards. How does the Minister expect our armed forces communities to believe that the Government will make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran by 2028 when this is the Government's record?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I am afraid that I just do not accept the premise of the hon. Lady's question about this Government's record on veterans. Clearly I came to this place because our veterans provision was not good enough; that has markedly changed since we started campaigning. Of course I accept that there are challenges—there are historical challenges around veteran ID cards—but my experience with the veterans community is that there is no doubt in people's minds that if we commit to something, we will deliver it. When it comes to ID cards, the hon. Lady is more than welcome to hold me to account in the year ahead.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific delays and timelines for issuing veteran ID cards were not addressed.

How: I Am Afraid That I Just Do Not Accept The Premise Of The Hon. Lady'S Question About This Government'S Record On Veterans.

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