Business of the House

Harpreet Uppal Excerpts

Thursday 26th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am very concerned to hear about the case the hon. Lady raises and will certainly draw her concerns to the attention of the Health Secretary.

[Harpreet Uppal (Huddersfield) (Lab)]

Tommy’s Lounge in Huddersfield is a dedicated drop-in support hub for veterans and their families. It provides peer support, mental health signposting and community connection. However, the service is facing a funding shortfall. The Government have announced Operation Valour to build a national network of recognised veteran support centres. Will the Leader of the House ask Ministers what emergency funding is available for established community veteran support organisations such as Tommy’s Lounge, and how the Government will ensure that existing services are not lost while the Valour framework is rolled out?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question and commend everyone at Tommy’s Lounge for their work supporting our veterans. I will raise it with the Veterans Minister on her behalf. Operation Valour is a cornerstone of the Government’s veterans strategy, the first in over seven years. It will better connect local services, charities and national services, but she is absolutely right to draw attention to what happens while those services are being rolled out.