Veterans Welfare Service 2020-09-21
2020-09-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about providing effective welfare services for veterans.
What steps his Department is taking to provide an effective welfare service for veterans.
The Veterans Welfare Service continues to provide the full range of support services to veterans during the covid-19 pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps and measures not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted the establishment of the Crawley Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club, seeking support from the government.
What specific support can be provided to such grassroots groups that support our armed forces and veterans personnel?
When LIBOR funding came to an end two years ago, it was replaced by something called the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. It is administered in a professional way, and all charities and such grassroots organisations can now bid into it for grants.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support not detailed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomed the Royal Marines family centre at Lympstone and inquired about additional support provided during the pandemic.
Could the Minister outline what further support the Government have provided during the pandemic, particularly for those experiencing exacerbated challenges due to lockdown measures?
We have seen under this Government a significant transition to looking after our people through a number of schemes that they are benefiting from. We provide an extra £6 million in funding to the charity sector, but of course there is always more to do.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support measures not detailed
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted Captain Tom Moore's fundraising efforts and inquired about additional support.
What additional welfare support is my hon. Friend's Department providing to veterans in Havant and across the country to access vital services and to find work?
We have moved a lot of our veterans UK services online, bringing online earlier this year the complex treatment service and I am bringing the high intensity service online later this year. There are some extremely good examples around now of initiatives to help veterans find work.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support measures not detailed
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted the work of Salute Her, a charity supporting female veterans.
Does the Minister agree that women service leavers are a hidden population with certain unmet needs? Will the Ministry commit to working with me to tackle these problems?
I am clear that there are some very good veterans provisions in this country, but there are areas where we need to do a lot better. I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to continue my work with Forward Assist.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment not detailed
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquired about a follow-up review of the Wigston report which highlighted issues.
Why is a review taking place of the Wigston review that was published just over a year ago? Why are charities excluded from this review?
The reason we are doing that is very clear. I am aware that, within Government, we are very good at doing reviews, but seeing the impact of those reviews in the real world is something else.
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Assessment & feedback
Purpose and scope not detailed
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP thanked Veterans in Crisis for their work and requested additional financial support.
Will the Government pledge to look at providing more financial support from central Government for services to veterans?
We are undoubtedly going through a transition at this time in terms of veterans' care. For too long we have over-relied on the third sector, and that responsibility is slowly shifting towards the state.
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Assessment & feedback
Financial support not pledged
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Combat Stress and other organisations have reported funding cuts, and the Minister promised to meet them. The situation has worsened with the start of the covid-19 pandemic.
In January this year, I raised the issue that Combat Stress and other charities assisting veterans faced a risk of serious mental health problems among veterans due to funding cuts. Since then, with the onset of the pandemic, what extra assessment has been made by the Minister on these risks?
I speak with service charities daily and note a shift from third sector reliance to state responsibility in veterans' care. We have the transition liaison programme, complex treatment service, and high-intensity services coming later this year. I monitor figures daily and am determined to ensure these three streams are world leaders in mental health care.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific additional assessments made since the start of the pandemic
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Office for National Statistics reported one in five adults experiencing depression during the pandemic, with increased demand from veterans' charities. The Minister previously discussed veteran care.
In June, ONS reported that nearly 20% of adults are likely to be experiencing some form of depression due to the pandemic. Given this and previous discussions on mental health for veterans, what steps is the Department taking to ensure all veterans, serving personnel, and service families receive support during these difficult times?
We are looking to launch a strategy with the NHS later this year that highlights a seamless care pathway for service personnel and their families from before joining through to after service. It aims to make services understandable and accountable.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific concrete steps being taken by the Department
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
A veteran named Wesley McDonnell, who served for nearly two decades, tragically took his own life. The questioner requests a health and wellbeing pathway to assess mental health needs before discharge.
Wesley McDonnell, a 35-year-old veteran who served almost 20 years, decided to take his own life in my local park. There are still many others like him facing similar struggles. Can the Minister commit to improving the spirit of the armed forces covenant by tasking the MOD with developing a health and wellbeing pathway that includes assessment, diagnosis, and mental health needs commissioning prior to discharge?
Any veteran suicide is tragic. We have made progress; mandatory mental health training will be delivered annually in every unit by January, alongside work with the Royal Foundation to change the environment for resilience and fitness.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to developing a specific pathway as requested
Response accuracy