Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kirsty McNeill and Robbie Moore

Wednesday 4th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Robbie Moore (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)]

10. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support veterans in Scotland.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Kirsty McNeill)]

This Government are fully committed to delivering for veterans, and I pay tribute to them and their families for the sacrifices they make during their service, as well as their valued contribution to our society after they leave. The Minister for Veterans and People, my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Selly Oak (Al Carns), is leading work across Government, and with the Scottish Government, to ensure veterans and their families can access all the support they need.

[Kirsty McNeill]

The Minister for Veterans and People is leading this work. The Prime Minister recently made an announcement on giving veterans a social housing exemption, which, I can confirm, will bring England in line with Scotland, where veterans are already exempt from the local connection requirement to access social housing. We are creating a level playing field across the nations to support veterans, as I mentioned in my first answer.

[Robbie Moore]

Since 1921, the Royal British Legion Scotland has supported veterans and their families through education, remembrance and direct support. This weekend, in my constituency in Keighley, the town council and community groups are unveiling a memorial to the fallen of the first world war, with a time capsule placed under the cenotaph to be opened in 100 years. Does the Minister agree that events such as these, which bring together the whole community, are of vital importance for our veterans—not only in Keighley, but in Scotland and across the wider United Kingdom?

[Kirsty McNeill]

I join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to the volunteers who often run these events. I also draw the House’s attention to the work of the War Memorials Trust, which is one of the many unsung organisations that do incredible work across this country to maintain war memorials so that we all may remember. Across this House, we have many veterans and those who have served; I pay tribute to them all, and in particular to the 13 Members on the Government Benches who are veterans or reservists.