Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Veterans

Monday 2 February 2026 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Catherine Fookes highlighted the valuable work of the Monmouthshire veterans support hub and the Royal British Legion in her constituency.
  • John Whitby questioned the adequacy of housing provision for military veterans, especially those with service-related injuries, in rural areas like Derbyshire Dales.
  • Liz Saville Roberts raised concerns about the lack of support for veterans to tackle substance abuse and mental health crises in NHS Wales compared to NHS England.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Catherine Fookes Lab Monmouthshire
Veterans
Context

The MP highlighted the excellent veteran support provided in Monmouthshire, including a veterans hub and branches of the Royal British Legion. She cited specific initiatives like Operation Valour.

Question

Veterans in my constituency benefit from the stellar Monmouthshire veterans support hub in Abergavenny. Such organisations, and the volunteers who keep them running, are invaluable to our communities. We also have excellent branches of the Royal British Legion, and a veterans-informed GP service in Monmouth. As the Government’s Valour programme gets under way, will the Secretary of State accompany me when I next visit the Monmouthshire veterans hub, not only to sample its brilliant breakfast fry-up, but to see brilliant examples of what can be achieved by these support hubs?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Louise Sandher-Jones)

It is truly wonderful to hear about the great work being done in my hon. Friend’s constituency to support veterans. Far be it from me to get between the Secretary of State and a fry-up, but if I can, I may take his place on a visit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to accompanying the MP or providing additional details about visiting the hub beyond suggesting she might take the place of the Secretary of State.

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Q2 John Whitby Lab Derbyshire Dales
Housing Veterans
Context

The MP raised concerns about the adequacy of housing provision for military veterans, particularly those with service-related injuries or disabilities, in rural areas such as Derbyshire Dales.

Question

What assessment has the Minister made of the adequacy of housing provision for military veterans, particularly those with service-related injuries or disabilities, in rural areas such as Derbyshire Dales, where there is severe pressure on our affordable and supported housing stock?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Louise Sandher-Jones)

My hon. Friend raises a very important point. Those veterans who choose to resettle in rural areas may face additional challenges in accessing the services that they deserve. This Government are committed to reducing veterans’ homelessness, and I note the £12 million that we have spent to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a detailed assessment of housing provision adequacy specifically for rural areas; she mentioned general commitments but no specifics about Derbyshire Dales or other similar regions.

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Q3 Liz Saville Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
NHS Wales Veterans
Context

The MP mentioned the Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales, who noted that support for veterans to tackle substance abuse and mental health issues does not exist within NHS Wales as it does in NHS England.

Question

The Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales has said that support for veterans to tackle<br/>“substance abuse, mental health crisis and residential services do not exist within NHS Wales as they do in NHS England”.<br/>What steps is the Minister taking to work with the commissioner and the Welsh Government to improve access to essential services? Will she encourage veterans to attend my event in Caernarfon on Sunday, which will bring together a host of key support organisations?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Louise Sandher-Jones)

I echo what the right hon. Lady says in promoting her event; she is doing an excellent job. Of course, my commitment is to veterans across the entire nation. We must do what we can, where we can, to ensure that veterans, wherever they are, can access the support that they need. Some of the matters that the right hon. Lady referred to are devolved, but of course work I with all my counterparts across the devolved Administrations to deliver.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific steps being taken for collaboration or improvements; she acknowledged the need for support and mentioned working with devolved administrations without concrete actions.

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