Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Veterans: Support

Monday 8 September 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions on Veterans: Support were held on 2025-09-08
  • David Chadwick questioned the support for Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997
  • Al Carns criticized the Minister for attempting to divide the House and the veterans community

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Chadwick Lib Dem Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
Veterans
Context

Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 are on inferior pensions compared to their British counterparts, leaving many in poverty despite serving with bravery.

Question

For more than two centuries, Gurkha veterans have served our country with extraordinary loyalty and bravery. Many of them and their families have strong ties to my constituency in Brecon. Yet to the shock of many, thousands who retired before 1997, despite fighting shoulder to shoulder with their British comrades, often suffering injuries and wounds in the process, remain on inferior pensions, leaving too many in poverty. Does the Minister agree that that injustice cannot be allowed to stand? Will he commit to ensuring that all Gurkha veterans receive fair and equal pensions in recognition of their service?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

We have a proud and distinguished history of Gurkha soldiers serving in the British Army and across defence. I served with them in Afghanistan and across many other conflicts. The Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee sat most recently in June of this year, and it continues to ensure that the needs of Gurkha veterans are met and understood fully. It is also worth noting that even among British service personnel from in and around that era, some did not qualify for a pension, so in some cases there is parity across the board. The Gurkha welfare advice centres provide handling support for a wide variety of welfare-related inquiries, alongside the Gurkha Brigade Association. I have also met the Nepalese ambassador and will do so again soon to discuss the issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly commit to ensuring fair and equal pensions for all Gurkha veterans.

How: Under Review

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Q2 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Veterans
Context

Mission Community, a service charity, delivers the Office for Veterans’ Affairs’ veterans industry engagement programme designed to advocate for veterans by working with industry trade bodies.

Question

From my proud support of the National Transition Event held annually at Silverstone in my constituency, I am aware of the work of Mission Community, a service charity tasked with the delivery of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs’ veterans industry engagement programme, which is designed to advocate for our veterans by working with industry trade bodies. What sectors will the Government focus on in their work so that veterans and their families feel the benefit, as well as that having a positive impact on our economy?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

Veterans not only defended the nation while in service, but they go on to deliver the second mission of Government, which is to help us prosper. I have met representatives from Mission Community, which does a fantastic job, several times. It is worth noting that veterans who engage with our career transition pathway on transitioning to become civilians have an 88% success rate in going straight into employment. Op Ascend, which we launched at the National Transition Event, has seen thousands of families and veterans connected up with industry to move that collaboration forward. I will write the hon. Lady with details about specific industries in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a clear list of sectors but promised to follow up later.

How: Will Write

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Q3 Al Carns
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The Minister for Veterans and People is addressing concerns about proposed legislation affecting veterans and their families, particularly those seeking justice for lost loved ones. The debate centres on balancing transparency with ensuring that the process does not become punitive for veterans.

Question

The right hon. Gentleman is missing the point. He is trying to divide the House, veterans and the armed forces community, and it has got to stop. The reality is that we will produce legislation that will allow families to get to the truth. He should put himself in the shoes of the families who have lost loved ones, and then put himself in the shoes of veterans—I am a Northern Ireland veteran—and accept that if the protections are in place to ensure that the process does not become the punishment, we have a good solution.

Answer from Al Carns

The right hon. Gentleman is missing the point. He is trying to divide the House, veterans and the armed forces community, and it has got to stop. The reality is that we will produce legislation that will allow families to get to the truth.

Answered
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