Oral Answers to Questions

Craig Tracey Excerpts

Monday 15th November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) promote the poppy appeal.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) promote the poppy appeal.

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

6. What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) promote the poppy appeal.

--- Later in debate ---

[Craig Tracey]

The fantastic work of the poppy appeal, which raises millions every year for our veterans, is only possible thanks to the hard work of the volunteers and armed forces who take part, giving up their time to ensure that the Royal British Legion’s fundraising efforts succeed. Will the Minister join me in thanking the volunteers and organisers of the Bedworth Armistice Day parade in my constituency, chaired by Ken Whitehead? It celebrated its centenary this year, being the only parade outside London to have taken place every year on 11 November.

[Leo Docherty]

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.

Oral Answers to Questions

Craig Tracey Excerpts

Monday 23rd November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mark Lancaster]

My hon. and learned Friend is a champion, not only of his constituency but of Lincolnshire. He is right to say that that county has had a long association with the RAF. He is right that I cannot give any further details today—not even after half-past 3—but I hope to be able to provide further information in due course.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to support military veterans.

[William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con)]

16. What steps he is taking to support military veterans.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mark Lancaster)]

The Government provide a comprehensive programme of support for ex-service personnel. For those returning to civilian life, that includes an excellent resettlement package, a high-quality pension and compensation schemes and measures to meet veterans’ health and welfare needs. The armed forces covenant stresses the importance we place on ensuring that veterans are not disadvantaged as a result of their service in the armed forces.

[Craig Tracey]

Research shows that veterans represent the largest single cohort in the overall prison population. What is the Department doing to address the issue, and will the Minister acknowledge the significance of charities such as Care after Combat, whose Phoenix project is intended to reduce reoffending in this important group?

[Mark Lancaster]

As my hon. Friend will know, armed forces veterans in prison are the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice, but the latest figures that I have suggest that approximately 3.5% of the UK prison population are veterans. All prisoners with a military history are eligible for the full range of interventions and services that are available from the National Offender Management Service, and armed forces charities, including the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Care after Combat and Combat Stress, send caseworkers to support veterans in some prisons.