Oral Answers to Questions

Nigel Huddleston Excerpts

Monday 22nd October 2018 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

1. What steps he is taking to improve veterans’ access to support services.

[Victoria Prentis (Banbury) (Con)]

13. What steps he is taking to improve veterans’ access to support services.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Gavin Williamson)]

I recently made a series of announcements on new schemes and initiatives designed to support serving personnel and their families throughout their military careers and beyond. Those include a further package to support armed forces personnel as they enter civilian life, a veterans ID card and a new fund dedicated to supporting the careers of the spouses and civil partners of those who serve.

[Nigel Huddleston]

I am sure we all agree that more could be done to help veterans when they return to civvy street. Steps have already been taken to improve co-ordination and co-operation between Government Departments on the provision of services for veterans, but what more can be done to improve co-ordination between Departments and local authorities?

[Gavin Williamson]

My hon. Friend makes a valuable point. The armed forces covenant, which I know his local authorities are members of, plays a vital role in ensuring that armed forces service personnel and those who have served are able to plug into health services, help with finding a home or any other support that it is so vital for local authorities to provide.