Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan: Civilian Life

Thursday 16 March 2023 · 6 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 Department has completed over 35% of its veterans' strategy action plan commitments, supporting veterans in employment and addressing homelessness.
  • Schemes to increase veteran employment include pathways into the public sector and the STEP into Justice programme.
  • Operation Fortitude is a referral pathway to provide homeless veterans with supported housing and wraparound care.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Veterans
Context

The question arises from the need to assess how effectively veterans are being supported in their civilian lives.

Question

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of the veterans' strategy action plan on supporting veterans in their civilian lives?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

We have already completed delivery of over 35% of our strategy action plan commitments. Veterans are being supported into employment in the public sector. We are accelerating our investment to end veteran homelessness. The veterans' survey has been a game changer, and Op Courage is delivering more mental health support than ever before and is on track.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or figures about the impact of the strategy action plan.

How: Under Review

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Q2 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Veterans
Context

The MP seeks information on specific programmes to help veterans transition into civilian employment.

Question

Could my right hon. Friend outline the schemes available to help increase veteran employment and to assist their transition into the civilian workplace?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I am clear that having a job—a meaningful job—is the No. 1 factor that will improve the life chances of any veteran and their family. We are putting a great deal of resource and time and effort into that space. On pathways into the public sector, the STEP into Justice programme gets people into the justice system. The Office for Veterans' Affairs has a veterans employment group. There are some fantastic employment opportunities. I commend the work of James Cameron and Mission Automotive in that space.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete figures or timelines about specific veteran employment schemes.

How: Under Review

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Q3 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Veterans
Context

The MP inquires about the specifics of Operation Fortitude, a programme aimed at helping homeless veterans.

Question

Could he give more detail about Operation Fortitude in respect of homeless veterans? And while he is on his feet, could he give a word of praise to Alex Baxter and his team in Cleethorpes, who do so much for veterans?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I pay tribute to Alex in Cleethorpes, and to everybody who works in this sector. Op Fortitude is a referral pathway that will enable anyone who has served and is at risk of homelessness to get into good-quality supported housing, access wraparound care and treatment for addiction or any comorbidity factors, and ultimately to upskill and get back into civilian life.

Answered
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Q4 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Veterans
Context

The MP raises the issue of Vilikesa Tubuitamana, a veteran who was honorably discharged due to severe PTSD and later faced financial difficulties.

Question

Will the Minister have a look and see what can be done to support him?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I raised this formally with the Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families earlier this week. I am aware of that case. There is a deficit when it comes to looking after our foreign and Commonwealth personnel, particularly veterans, in this country. The hon. Gentleman has done great work on this over many years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or timeline for supporting Vilikesa Tubuitamana's case.

How: Under Review

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Q5 Alan Brown SNP
Veterans
Context

The MP inquires about the need for reform of Veterans UK due to poor service ratings from veterans.

Question

Given that the survey by the all-party group on veterans found that 76% of veterans rated their experience of claiming compensation through Veterans UK as poor or very poor, when will there be root-and-branch reform of Veterans UK? Will the Minister promise to take up Sandy's case and review what has been sent to our office?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I am more than happy for the hon. Gentleman to send me his case. I have commissioned a review of that service to make sure that it works for people like Sandy. We are working on that and hope to see the results of the review in the next three to six months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or details about reforms at Veterans UK.

How: Under Review

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Q6 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Veterans
Context

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs recently acknowledged under-investment in veterans' services. Rachel Hopkins is concerned that despite rhetoric, there is no serious plan to improve these services.

Question

I agree with the Minister's comments on under-investment and outdated tech in veterans' services. However, I fear that after 13 years of government promises, there is no concrete plan to deliver the standard of services deserved by veterans and their families. Will he confirm what specific resources his office will receive for implementing recommendations from the cross-departmental veterans' welfare services review?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

I have written to correct the record regarding statements made by the hon. Lady and addressed issues like Op Courage waiting times, stating they are factually incorrect. We have launched a quinquennial review of compensation schemes and never before has a UK Government committed as much to veterans' services as this one does today.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific resources for implementation of recommendations were not confirmed

How: I Am A Huge Personal Fan Of The Hon. Lady, But A Lot Of What She Says In This Space Is Simply Not The Case.

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