Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on improving support for ex-service women.

Ministers within the Equalities portfolio regularly engage with their counterparts in other Government Departments on a range of matters.

This is in addition to officials within the Office for Equality and Opportunity working closely with those in the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the differing experiences and needs of women and LGBT+ personnel are reflected across their work, including ex-service personnel and veterans.

For example, women are a crucial part of this Government’s new Veterans’ Strategy with commitments including the establishment of a new women veterans’ forum, and an oral history project. Additionally, last year the Government launched the £50 million VALOUR programme, which will make it easier for all veterans to access the care and support they deserve wherever they live in the UK.

The Government has also been clear that historic treatment of LGBT+ veterans was a moral stain on our nation. The Ministry of Defence has already made substantial progress in delivering the Financial Recognition Scheme for veterans who served under, and were impacted by, the Ban on LGBT personnel in the Armed Forces. Decisions have been made on 78% of cases and over £54.6m paid out. We continue to take a proactive approach to ensure all affected veterans are made aware of the Schemes; working with local councils, the NHS, community groups, Veterans’ Commissioners, charities and an external communications specialist.