Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Veteran Cards: Devon and Cornwall

Thursday 29 February 2024 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Office for Veterans' Affairs and the Ministry of Defence launched a new service in January for veteran cards, with 1,259 applications from Cornwall and 2,793 from Devon.
  • Kevin Foster expressed appreciation for the positive feedback from veterans in Torbay regarding the ease of applying online.
  • The Minister highlighted the importance of local authorities understanding what is available to support veterans.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kevin Foster Con
Veterans
Context

The question concerns applications for HM armed forces veteran cards made by military veterans living in Devon and Cornwall.

Question

How many applications have been made for HM armed forces veteran cards by military veterans living in Devon and Cornwall?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

The Office for Veterans' Affairs and the Ministry of Defence launched a new service in January to allow veterans to apply for their cards. Since then, 1,259 veterans have applied from Cornwall and 2,793 from Devon.

Answered
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Q2 Kevin Foster Con
Veterans
Context

The MP thanks the Minister for his answer regarding applications for HM armed forces veteran cards. He then asks about work being done with local authorities to encourage veterans to apply online or make an application if they have not done so.

Question

I thank the Minister, my fellow Devon MP, for his answer. It is very encouraging to have had positive feedback from veterans in Torbay about the simplicity of applying online, but one question comes to mind: what work is being done with local authorities that encounter veterans through services such as housing to encourage them to apply online or make an application if they have not done so?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

That is a good question and I cannot emphasise this point enough. Obviously, this is my responsibility as the veterans Minister, but it is also the nation's duty to look after these people. We need local authorities to understand what is available to look after these people. We have armed forces champions in local authorities now and I want to see that role taken seriously. There are multiple pathways specifically for veterans through health, housing, employment and a number of other topics, but clearly it is incumbent on all of us in public life to understand what is available for veterans so that when we find one in need, they get the world-class help they deserve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details or commitments about how local authorities are being encouraged to promote veteran applications.

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