Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what steps she is planning to take to ensure that the £1 billion investment in employment support specifically caters to the needs of (a) injured veterans and (b) those transitioning from military service.

We are providing tailored support to help people get into and on at work, including the biggest investment in employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions in at least a generation - £1 billion a year by the end of the scorecard. Our Pathways to Work Guarantee will provide tailored work, health and skills support for disabled people and those with health conditions claiming out of work benefits, including injured veterans.

This additional investment begins in 26/27 to ensure all those affected by the Universal Credit health element reduction and the PIP changes are offered support from one of 1000 Pathways to Work advisers. This support will include access to a conversation about needs, goals and aspirations; an offer of one-to-one follow-on support; and help to access additional work, health and skills support through dedicated programmes. These programmes include Connect to Work, which will support around 100,000 people with health conditions, complex barriers to employment or disabilities in 2026/27, Trailblazers and WorkWell, which join up health and employment support at a local level.

Additionally, veterans and military personnel will continue to have access to support services that recognise their particular needs and circumstances. These includes initiatives that help current and former Armed Forces personnel and their families. There are also Armed Forces Champions in every Jobcentre who provide specialist support to Jobcentre staff, building and maintaining relationships with local organisations and services to connect veterans and military personnel with them.