Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what date the new veterans gateway will become operational.

The Veterans' Gateway is a £2 million programme run through a consortium of Combat Stress, PoppyScotland, SSAFA and Connect Assist, led by The Royal British Legion, to set up a one-stop service to better support the UK's Armed Forces Veterans community. The new service will provide a simple single point of contact through a 24/7 phone number with a professional voice at the end of the line, SMS access, a dedicated website and a mobile enabled web app to make it easier for former Service personnel to access support on a range of issues including housing, employability and health issues. Veterans in Northern Ireland, like other UK Veterans, will also be able to access the Veterans Gateway. Subject to successful trials, the Veterans' Gateway will launch in May 2017 through an event to be held on the same day in each of the home nations.