Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The MP notes local efforts for the poppy appeal.
People across Keighley and Ilkley have been working hard to raise funds for veterans through the poppy appeal. Will my hon. Friend join me in thanking all my constituents who have worked so incredibly hard to raise money for the appeal, and use this opportunity to reiterate the importance of such funds being raised throughout the calendar year?
I absolutely join my hon. Friend in thanking Jackie McGinnis and the Keighley branch of the Royal British Legion. They have done terrifically good work. It is indeed an all-year-round challenge, and that is why we are pleased to have invested £25 million this year in third sector charities that support our veterans and armed forces.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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The MP highlights local efforts for the poppy appeal in Clwyd South.
Will the Minister join me in thanking and congratulating the many volunteers, organisations and veterans across Clwyd South who have worked so hard to raise money for the poppy appeal, including Broughton community council?
I do indeed join my hon. Friend in thanking everyone in Clwyd South who took part in those activities, particularly the team at Broughton community council and Brynteg Memorial Hall. I am sure that theirs was a fitting tribute to those who have served.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The MP highlights the work of volunteers and organizers for the poppy appeal.
Will the Minister join me in thanking the volunteers and organisers of the Bedworth Armistice Day parade in my constituency, chaired by Ken Whitehead?
My hon. Friend is right to refer to the central role of the Royal British Legion volunteers. They are a magnificent bunch of people, and I particularly commend Ken Whitehead and all the Bedworth Armistice Day team. I also want to record my thanks for all my hon. Friend's work to support our veterans and forces people in his constituency.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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The MP references the Royal British Legion's recent report on the armed forces covenant.
What consideration has the Minister given to the Legion's recent report on the impact of the covenant over the last 10 years?
I have given deep consideration to that excellent report, which I think is a hugely important piece of work. We have come a very long way in the last 10 years, but there is still more to do, and that is why we are putting the covenant into law in the Armed Forces Bill.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP notes local efforts for the poppy appeal.
People across Keighley and Ilkley have been working hard to raise funds for our veterans through the poppy appeal, including Jackie McGinnis and her team at the Keighley branch of the Royal British Legion. Will my hon. Friend join me in thanking all my constituents who have worked so incredibly hard to raise money for the appeal?
I absolutely join my hon. Friend in thanking Jackie McGinnis and the Keighley branch of the Royal British Legion. They have done terrifically good work. It is indeed an all-year-round challenge, and that is why we are pleased to have invested £25 million this year in third sector charities that support our veterans and armed forces.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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The MP raises concerns about the closure of a Royal British Legion branch in Leyton.
When the Minister next meets the national leadership of the Royal British Legion, will he point out that effectively closing down a branch and expelling its officers, as they have done in Leyton, is not the best way to promote the appeal?
I regularly meet the magnificent team of the Royal British Legion. If the hon. Gentleman can give me any particular details of that case, I should be pleased to raise it with them.
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Assessment & feedback
Providing a general willingness to address specific cases rather than addressing the systemic issues raised by the closure of branches
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP discusses a friend's experience with veteran mental health issues.
I had a friend who signed up at the age of 16 and served for eight years in the Balkans, Northern Ireland and the first Gulf war. About 10 days ago we lost him after he battled with mental ill health for perhaps 20 years. Can more be done through the poppy appeal to reach out to veterans so that they do not feel cast adrift once they leave the services?
I entirely agree with the sentiment expressed by the hon. Lady. We are trying harder than ever before and investing a huge amount of money in Op Courage, which is the bespoke mental health pathway for veterans in the national health service, but really this is about a broader challenge of reducing the stigma of mental health challenges.
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Assessment & feedback
Not providing specific details on how the poppy appeal will address mental health support
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP discusses the recognition of LGBT veterans at the Cenotaph.
This Remembrance Sunday was the first time that LGBT veterans were invited to lay a wreath openly at the Cenotaph. Can the Minister detail the steps the Government are taking to provide compensation to all LGBT veterans who suffered a loss of earnings and pension as a result of the historical ban?
I am pleased to be able to put on record my acknowledgement of the injustice suffered by gay people who were unjustly thrown out of the military. We are doing good work on this, which will be formally announced as part of a review. I hope to be able to provide further details to the House in the coming weeks.
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Assessment & feedback
Not providing specific details or timeline for compensation efforts
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh has been operating since 1926, providing employment for veterans. It currently employs 41 veterans.
Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh has been in operation since 1926 and employs ex-soldiers from the start. Now it employs 41 veterans. Will the Minister join me in thanking them for their hard work and encourage other organisations to support veteran employability?
I am delighted to put on record my thanks to the Poppy Factory, which I have visited: it does magnificent work, and the wreaths it creates are a moving and important part of the Festival of Remembrance. I am also grateful that the hon. Lady picked up the theme of employability, because we will focus explicitly on that in the forthcoming veterans strategy.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to encouraging other organisations specifically.
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Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The Royal British Legion and the poppy appeal have supported veterans through various conflicts, including the Falklands campaign. Gosport has strong links to the Falklands.
As you know, Mr Speaker, the Royal British Legion and the poppy appeal have supported veterans over decades, especially after the Falklands campaign which my constituency is linked with. Can the Minister talk about plans for commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Falklands campaign next year?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. This is of particular interest, because my Aldershot constituency was formerly the home of the Parachute Regiment and one of my first engagements as a new MP was to attend the 35th anniversary of Op Corporate. There are significant plans under way, and I look forward to sharing those with her and her Gosport constituents in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific details about commemoration plans but indicated that there were ongoing discussions.
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