Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to support veterans families in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

This Government is committed to ensuring that veterans and their families are easily able to access support in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire and across the country, when and where it is needed. Late last year we launched a new Veterans Strategy which recognises veterans as a national asset and resets the nation’s relationship with those who have served.

Alongside this, we launched the £50 million VALOUR programme, which will make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve, and we confirmed £12 million for the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme.

In addition, dedicated supported is available to veterans through Ops FORTITUDE, COURAGE, RESTORE, ASCEND and NOVA as well as through programmes such as the Career Transition Partnership.