Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Operation Valour 2026-07-06

Monday 6 July 2026 · 5 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Operation Valour has made progress in opening the first Valour centre and initiating round 2 of funding applications.
  • The Minister thanked Phil Brickell for recognizing the work of the Darren Deady Foundation and expressed willingness to visit their community hub.
  • Operation Valour aims to enhance support for veterans by improving access to existing services through new hubs and recognized centres across the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jodie Gosling Lab
Veterans
Context

The question addresses progress on Operation Valour, a programme aimed at improving coordination of services for veterans.

Question

What progress his Department has made on Operation Valour. The programme aims to improve the co-ordination of services at national, regional and local level, ensuring that veterans have easier access to support. I am interested in knowing about the first Valour centre opened and details on funding applications and field officers.

Answer from Calvin Bailey

Valour will improve coordination of services at national, regional and local level. We have made good progress: the first Valour centre was opened on Thursday; round 2 of funding is open for applications; first Valour field officers are in post with more to follow.

Answered
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Q2 Phil Brickell Lab
Veterans
Context

The question focuses on the Darren Deady Foundation, a local veterans charity in Westhoughton, which supports veterans and their families.

Question

Westhoughton is home to the Darren Deady Foundation, which provides vital support for veterans. The foundation was visited by the MP who met Christine and Julie, Darren's mum, discussing the work of the charity. Will the Minister pay tribute to this foundation and join me on a visit to their community hub at Old Washacre?

Answer from Calvin Bailey

I thank my hon. Friend for recognising the work of the Darren Deady Foundation, led by family members, and I would take great pleasure in joining him at their community hub.

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Q3 Jodie Gosling Lab
Veterans
Context

The question concerns the Veterans Contact Point, an organisation providing support to veterans in Nuneaton.

Question

I welcome the Minister for Veterans and People to his position. The Veterans Contact Point and other organisations in Nuneaton are examples of Operation Valour in action. Will the Minister provide an update on how Operation Valour will enhance support for veterans, particularly those in Nuneaton?

Answer from Calvin Bailey

Through Operation Valour, we aim to make the existing support even better so that every veteran can access needed services. The Telford and Wrekin hub has just launched alongside 13 other Valour-recognised centres across the UK.

Answered
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Q4 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
NHS Veterans
Context

The question addresses concerns about Operation Valour's effectiveness in providing services like housing and healthcare to veterans.

Question

I welcome the Minister for his new role. In Gosport, there is a high proportion of veterans facing issues such as long waiting lists for council houses and NHS treatment. How will Operation Valour invest in essential services rather than being just window-dressing?

Answer from Calvin Bailey

Operation Valour aims to empower the third sector without usurping it. It does not seek to solve the issues of council house shortages or NHS waiting lists, which are legacies of past administrations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific investment in housing and healthcare for veterans was not addressed.

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Q5 John Milne Lib Dem
Veterans
Context

The question addresses the issue of military compensation received by veterans being counted as income for local means-tested benefits.

Question

Military personnel risk life and limb to keep the country safe, thus they deserve proper support. However, many veterans find that their military compensation is counted towards income when applying for local means-tested benefits. Will the Minister commit to ending this practice?

Answer from Calvin Bailey

The hon. Member makes a powerful point about military compensation being counted towards income for means-tested benefits, and I cajoled local councils into ceasing this practice by writing letters and lobbying on behalf of veterans.

Answered
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