Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts
Monday 21st September 2020

(3 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Johnny Mercer Portrait Johnny Mercer
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We have seen members of the armed forces working alongside our infrastructure across the United Kingdom, whether they have been inserted in local resilience forums or, indeed, the planners we stood up here in London. UK defence has made a significant contribution to the national effort to defeat this virus, and that will continue in the months ahead.

Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)
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What steps his Department is taking to provide an effective welfare service for veterans.

Simon Jupp Portrait Simon Jupp (East Devon) (Con)
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What steps his Department is taking to provide an effective welfare service for veterans.

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Johnny Mercer Portrait The Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Johnny Mercer)
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The Veterans Welfare Service continues to provide the full range of support services to veterans during the covid-19 pandemic.

Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith [V]
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Last year, the Crawley armed forces and veterans breakfast club was established, and I have enjoyed meeting it several times since then, most recently on the VJ75 anniversary. What specific support can be provided to such grassroots groups that support our armed forces and veterans personnel?

Johnny Mercer Portrait Johnny Mercer
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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. I am happy to write to my hon. Friend with details of how we can pass that on to support the great work that those in Crawley do at their breakfast clubs.