Oral Answers to Questions

Emma Hardy Excerpts

Tuesday 12th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Dan Carden (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)]

What support his Department is providing for veterans during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Emma Hardy (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) (Lab)]

What support his Department is providing for veterans during the covid-19 outbreak.

[The Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Johnny Mercer) [V]]

I have used this unprecedented situation to continue to modernise and improve our support to veterans in the UK. Last week, I launch the first stage in placing veterans’ care in the palm of the hand of every veteran in the country, with the launch of the smartphone application of Veterans UK. I have also secured £6 million of funding from the Treasury for service charities at this time.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

The final question is from Emma Hardy in Hull.

[Emma Hardy [V]]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Minister has heard me speak previously about how fortunate veterans in Hull are to be supported by the Hull Veterans Support Centre and Hull 4 Heroes, which have been doing an incredible job in providing resources and mental health support. But I remain concerned that these are charities and are therefore competing with all other charities for donations at this time. So what specific funding can the Minister make available to support veterans’ charities?

[Johnny Mercer]

I pay tribute to Hull 4 Heroes, which the hon. Lady knows I have been in contact with. It has done an amazing job during this time, as have many in the veterans’ sector. We have secured an initial £6 million out of the Treasury to support veterans’ charities at this time. But make no mistake—the environment that these charities operate in is changing, and will change, as a result of covid-19. I am absolutely determined to make sure that the ambition the Prime Minister has set out—that this is the best country in the world to be a veteran—is realised in due course.