The government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need, when and where they need it.

A full range of effective provision is already in place to support veterans seeking employment, with more information available on the GOV.uk website. The Ministry of Defence Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the initial point of employment support provision for all veterans leaving military service, with directly provided support usually available for two years before and two years after leaving service. To ensure that everyone has access to support, registration with CTP is mandatory. The service also includes bespoke support for more vulnerable cohorts to ensure that everyone can easily access help if needed.

In February 2025, this government launched the new veterans’ employment pathway Op ASCEND. From two years after leaving service, Op ASCEND provides veterans and their families with free career progression support and connects them with employers to provide clear, accessible pathways into roles in strategic sectors. So far, Op ASCEND has successfully engaged over 600 employers and supported over 5000 veterans and family members.

There are also a number of schemes operating across government to support veterans into particular careers after military service.

Going Forward into Employment (GFIE) and the Great Place to Work (GPTW) scheme are government-wide schemes to help veterans secure job opportunities within the Civil Service. All appointments are based on merit.

Advance into Justice provides opportunities for eligible veterans, civil partners and spouses to apply for a role working in His Majesties Prison and Probation Service in Prison or Community based roles.

Step into Health is a national, NHS led employment programme that supports members of the Armed Forces community—including Service leavers, veterans, reservists and family members—to transition into careers within the NHS. It provides a dedicated pathway into NHS employment, recognising the transferable skills, values and experience gained through military service.

Transition from Military Service into Teaching helps eligible service leavers and veterans draw on skills developed through military service such as leadership, instruction and people management to access government-funded teacher training routes to Qualified Teacher Status. Financial support is included - a £40,000 tax free undergraduate bursary for priority secondary subjects, student finance and, where appropriate, use of Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) for approved qualifications.

This government has extended the relief on National Insurance contributions for employers hiring veterans. This will ensure employers benefit from veterans’ formidable skillsets, who can claim a zero-rate of Class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions for the first 12 months of a veteran's first civilian job, up to an annual earnings threshold of £50,270. This relief is available until April 2028 and applies to anyone who has served at least one day in the regular armed forces.

Last year the government announced VALOUR, a national programme designed to make it easier to for veterans across the UK to access the care and support they deserve, backed by £50 million of funding. It aims to improve how services are coordinated at national, regional and local levels, ensuring veterans receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. There are three components of VALOUR. VALOUR Recognised Centres will facilitate access to multiple services for veterans. A network of VALOUR Field Officers to improve collaboration and coordination, enabling data-driven policy and service development and a VALOUR HQ, gather data and insight, working with policy and research teams to ensure services are designed to meet local needs. Last month, following round one of funding, 14 VALOUR Recognised Centres were announced, which will provide support and advice on employment, housing and health.

Underpinning all this is the Government’s new 10-year Veteran Strategy which sets a new narrative around the remarkable men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. This cross-government, cross-sector strategy provides a framework for the whole of society to adopt and sets out our vision - every veteran is celebrated for their service, empowered to realise their full potential, and provided with the support they deserve – and reflects the reality that the majority of veterans are better off for having served.

Ministry of Defence