Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with the Minister for Defence to ensure that veterans in receipt of means-tested support who are living in areas with district councils are not disadvantaged by the move to unitary authorities.

There will be no changes to how we expect councils to continue to support the armed forces community throughout the local government reorganisation process.

By abolishing two-tier local government across England, we will set up strong unitary councils that will improve public services, bringing them under one roof, improving join up with local partners, and making life easier for local residents.

We are committed to working with the Minister for Defence and across government to make sure unitarisation improves public services for all residents, including the armed forces community.