Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Veterans

Thursday 2 February 2023 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tackling inflation is the Government's top priority, with plans to improve living standards for everyone.
  • Veterans have access to support including the energy price guarantee, cost of living payments, council tax rebates, and veteran welfare services.
  • The Minister of State emphasizes that significant changes have been made to support veterans, though concerns remain and more can be done.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Economy Veterans
Context

Veterans are facing significant financial difficulties due to rising costs. Charities like the Royal British Legion have been awarding grants worth £1.9 million in three months to January alone, highlighting the gap left by government support.

Question

What steps is he taking with Cabinet colleagues to support veterans and their families with the cost of living crisis? Many veterans are turning to charities such as the Royal British Legion for help; how will he ensure that veterans and their families are not forced into hardship by increased living costs?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

Tackling inflation is this Government's No. 1 priority, with a plan to more than halve inflation and improve living standards for everyone. Veterans have access to support sources such as the energy price guarantee, cost of living payments, council tax rebates, and veteran welfare services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about outlining how veterans will be supported was not directly addressed with concrete measures.

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Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Veterans
Context

Veterans are facing significant financial difficulties due to rising costs. Charities like the Royal British Legion have been awarding grants worth £1.9 million in three months to January alone, highlighting the gap left by government support.

Question

The Royal British Legion has awarded £1.9 million-worth of grants for cost of living support. Will outline how he will ensure that veterans and their families right across the UK are not forced into hardship by increased living costs?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

There is no question of forcing people to go to charities. Veterans have access to a range of support sources: energy price guarantee, cost of living payments, council tax rebates, and veteran welfare services. I pay tribute to the Royal British Legion for its work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about outlining how veterans will be supported was not directly addressed with concrete measures.

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Q3 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Energy Veterans
Context

Veterans are struggling to meet basic needs. The Royal British Legion has awarded £1.9 million in grants, 88% for energy bills, with 90% applicants being working age.

Question

Of the £1.9 million-worth of grants awarded by the Royal British Legion, 88% were for basic energy bills; how does he expect veterans to trust him to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran when his Government forces them to rely on charities and choose between heating and eating?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I will not take lessons about being a veteran in this country. A suite of measures are available for help, under the Government there have been significant changes. We were miles away from previous standards, but I am willing to do more. Concerns exist, but we are doing everything possible.

Not addressed: The specific ask about how veterans can trust government support was not directly addressed.

How: I Will Not Take Lessons About Being A Veteran In This Country

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