Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Neil Shastri-Hurst and Kirsty McNeill

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.

[Dr Shastri-Hurst]

There is significant variability in the provision of veteran services across the nations. What steps is the Secretary of State taking, alongside his Cabinet colleagues, to ensure parity of services across the nations, and in particular in Scotland?

[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.