Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Baynes Excerpts

Monday 6th July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Darren Henry (Broxtowe) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the provision of a high-quality welfare service for veterans during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the provision of a high-quality welfare service for veterans during the covid-19 outbreak.

[The Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Johnny Mercer) [V]]

The Veterans Welfare Service has continued to provide full support to veterans throughout the covid-19 pandemic.

[Johnny Mercer]

I thank my hon. and gallant Friend for his question, and I commend him on his maiden speech, in which he talked about these issues. I am very clear, and the Department is very clear, that the single biggest factor that can improve the life chances of veterans in this country is having a job. We have more veterans going into employment than ever before, but I would be delighted to meet him and hear about his specific efforts in Broxtowe.

[Simon Baynes]

Will the Minister look at ways to protect the funding in Clwyd South and the wider Wrexham area for the provision of armed forces liaison officers and housing and mental health support for our veterans in these difficult times?

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Wallace]

The right hon. Member often campaigns for shipbuilding in the UK and he has heard my answers. First, I am keen that it gets under way as soon as possible; indeed, I have asked officials to bring it forward from the proposed date. The plus side is that such ships are not highly complex, so once the competition happens and it is placed, I do not think it will take long to build them. I therefore do not anticipate a capability gap at all. He is right that British shipbuilding and British yards produce some of the best ships in the world and we should support them as best as we can and ensure our navy gets some great British-made kit.

[Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend join me in praising the Army and air cadets in Clwyd South for their amazing work during the coronavirus crisis in helping the vulnerable and in keeping up their training and recruitment activities, with virtual physical training sessions with the Welsh Guards and other such initiatives?

[James Heappey]

My hon. Friend is right to champion the activities of the armed forces cadets and Air Force cadets in Clwyd South. It is amazing to hear what they have done to support their community during the coronavirus crisis, but also the cadets in his constituency and across the country have done an amazing job, through the commitment of their adult volunteers, to keep virtual training going throughout the pandemic, which has been hugely valuable to young people across the country.