Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the roll-out of Armed Forces Covenant's mental health provision service across the UK; and what plans they have, if any, to make changes to that provision.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the Government, and the Armed Forces. The Covenant is not an entity which provides any direct service. It is possible that the Noble Lord is referring to Op COURAGE, the current NHS England mental health initiative targeted at veterans. If so, I regret that the Ministry of Defence cannot comment on mental health provision across the UK, as this is not a Defence matter. Health is a devolved responsibility and, since 1948, it has been the policy of successive Governments that the NHS should be the main provider of healthcare, including mental healthcare, for veterans.