Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Veterans

Monday 25 March 2024 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Veterans UK collaborates with Government Departments to provide services including pension administration and compensation for veterans and their families.
  • The Ministry is reviewing the defence suicide prevention strategy to better understand and prevent suicides among serving personnel and veterans.
  • The Government is committed to supporting veterans' transition to civilian life to prevent homelessness through initiatives like the defence transition service.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington
Veterans
Context

Recent concerns about the cost of living impacting veterans and their families.

Question

What recent steps has Veterans UK taken to support veterans and their families with the cost of living?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

With other Government Departments, the Ministry of Defence delivers a range of services to our brilliant veterans and their families. That includes the administration and payment of armed forces pensions and compensation, the provision of tailored advice and assistance through the veterans welfare service, defence transition services and the integrated personal commissioning for veterans.

Answered
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Q2 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
NHS Veterans
Context

A Northumbria University report highlights issues of suicide among serving personnel and veterans, suggesting better understanding within care provision is necessary.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking, alongside our NHS, to deliver compassionate trauma-informed support for serving personnel and veterans?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I am glad that the hon. Lady has raised that issue. She will know that we have a defence suicide prevention strategy, which is reviewed regularly. We are looking very closely at that to better understand the reasons for it and how we can prevent it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps not detailed, only mentions reviewing the existing strategy without additional measures.

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Q3 Kate Hollern Lab
Benefits & Welfare Veterans
Context

A constituent's loss of disability living allowance and move to personal independence payments, now ineligibility.

Question

Is that really the way to treat our veterans who are eligible for disability living allowance but then become ineligible?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I am very sorry to hear about the hon. Lady's constituent. If she would like to write to me with the details, I will be more than happy to take up that case.

Not addressed: Specific eligibility process and reconsideration not addressed; asked for individual case submission instead of a general response.

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Q4 Chris Clarkson
Women & Equalities Veterans
Context

Previous work on behalf of female veterans and women in the armed forces; setting up an all-party group.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government remain committed not just to equal treatment for women in the armed forces, but to an equally positive experience?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I can absolutely give my hon. Friend that assurance... We have improvements to uniform policies, mentoring, flexible service, wrapround childcare, and of course our zero tolerance for unacceptable sexual behaviour.

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Q5 Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington
Housing Veterans
Context

Government figures showing an increase in veteran homelessness despite pledges; specific statistics provided.

Question

Can the Minister tell me what he is doing to ensure that veterans in Birmingham and across the UK, who made enormous sacrifices for our safety and security, do not end up homeless?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

We are doing everything in our power to ensure that people are set up well for civilian life as they transition out of the armed forces... By using measures such as the defence transition service, we minimise the number of people who have served in our armed forces and are left without a home.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific homelessness reduction strategies not detailed; general statement on minimising issues provided.

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Q6 Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin
Veterans
Context

Excellent work of Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall for treating injured serving and ex-service personnel.

Question

Would he, or perhaps the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, consider visiting the centre soon?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for the invitation, which I will most gladly take up... I pay tribute to Battle Back, which does a wonderful job.

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Q7 Andrea Jenkyns Con
Veterans
Context

Veteran Roy Sagar's passing at age 90 in Morley; contributions to veterans and the Royal British Legion.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend join me in paying tribute to Roy and all our unsung hero veterans for all they do, and in sending thoughts and prayers to Roy's family?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

Yes, I very much do so... Our veterans are a wonderful part of our communities and deserve all the support we can give them. I also pay tribute to the Royal British Legion, which is always there for our veterans when they need it.

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Q8 Steve McCabe Lab
Veterans
Context

Royal British Legion Industries reported that 6,000 veterans are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs hailed getting 500 off the streets as a triumph.

Question

I appreciate the Minister's earlier answer, but when Royal British Legion Industries says that 6,000 veterans are homeless or in danger of becoming so, is there a need for more urgent intervention, or is the Minister for Veterans' Affairs right to hail getting 500 off the streets as a triumph?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I think that getting 500 off the streets is good—it is certainly a start—but one person without a home is one too many, whether they are a civilian or a veteran. The important thing is that we look at factors that might be peculiar to defence that predispose people to homelessness, because we have a particular duty to those people in accordance with the military covenant.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific need for more urgent intervention was not addressed

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