Found: recognises the UK Government’s moral obligations to service personnel and their families under the Armed

Found: Armed Forces to th eir salary threshold takes into account the unique nature of their service, the Armed

Found: This lower MIR for the HM Armed Forces takes into account the unique nature of their service, the Armed

Found: The Government put the armed forces covenant into law because we have such a strong commitment to our

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the varied needs of the families of those serving in the armed forces; what steps they have taken to increase support available to those families; and to what extent they have addressed the recommendations outlined in the report commissioned by the Ministry of Defence, Living in our shoes: understanding the needs of UK Armed Forces Families published in June 2020.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence recognises the important role that families play in supporting our Armed Forces, which is why in 2022 we published our UK Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022 – 2032. There is much crossover between the Living in Our Shoes report and the Families Strategy Action Plan, with two authors of the report holding Defence to account via our Families Strategy Steering Group and progress being reported biannually to Ministers and being placed on record in the annual Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Report.

The needs of families are constantly evolving, which is why Defence undertakes an annual Tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FAMCAS). FAMCAS captures the key issues impacting our families which we then work to relieve. This may be achieved through direct intervention, for example via the Defence-funded Wraparound Childcare scheme, or by collaborating closely with other stakeholders or Government Departments, such as with the Office for Students to ensure that Service children are recognised within its Equality of Opportunity Risk Register.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the policy paper entitled Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan: 2022 to 2024, what metrics the Office for Veterans’ Affairs uses to assess the effectiveness of the (a) implementation and (b) impact of commitments that (i) it is responsible for and (ii) other Departments lead on; and what steps the Office for Veterans’ Affairs takes to help ensure that those metrics are met.

Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)

The Office for Veterans' Affairs works with partners across and beyond government to monitor the effectiveness and impact of the commitments outlined in the Veterans' Strategy Action Plan.

Since the publication of the Action Plan in 2022, the Government has published four updates on progress; two six monthly reports in August 2022 and August 2023, and two updates within the Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Annual Report laid before parliament in December 2022 and December 2023.

The most recent report highlighted notable achievements against the Action Plan and 2018 Strategy for our Veterans, outlining where commitments have been delivered and where more work is needed to deliver on our government’s ambition to make the UK the best place to be a veteran. The Office for Veterans' Affairs engages with its partners regularly to ensure the commitments in the action plan are delivered, with updates on progress provided to the Veterans Advisory Board and departments across government.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure parity of support provided to (a) armed forces families and (b) veterans.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Much of the policy that impacts Service families and veterans within the UK is not owned by Defence. We work with Other Government Departments and the Devolved Administrations to ensure that, wherever possible, disadvantage associated with Service life is mitigated and effective support is provided; the Armed Forces Covenant is an especially important tool in this.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of employing an Armed Forces Champion at every Jobcentre.

Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

As part of the Armed Forces Covenant the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiatives which help current and former Armed Forces personnel and their families. This includes the role of the Armed Forces Champion in every Jobcentre Plus District, who provide specialist support to members of the Armed Forces community and build Work Coach capability in our Jobcentres. Armed Forces Champions develop and maintain joint working relationships, provide specialist support to all Jobcentre staff and act as the first point of contact in communities for organisations and services.

Although there is no specific assessment carried out, the Department regularly evaluates the role to ensure we deliver the best service possible and we have had, and continue to receive positive feedback from customers and external stakeholders regarding their experience of working with Armed Forces Champions.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Going Forward into Employment initiative for veterans.

Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)

Regular updates on a range of veteran specific initiatives, including Going Forward into Employment, are published as part of the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan 6 monthly report and in the Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Annual Report.

The latest updates report that over 200 veterans have been employed in the Civil Service through Going Forward into Employment, and over 1,000 Civil Service jobs secured through the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

This is matched by the all-time high of veterans’ employment in the UK, with 89% employed within six months of leaving service when engaging with available support.

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Found: In line with the Armed Forces Covenant, the approach to the Police Covenant and Emergency Services Covenant

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Found: recognises the UK Government’s moral obligations to service personnel and their families under the Armed

Found: recognises the UK Government’s moral obligations to service personnel and their families under the Armed

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Found: recognises the UK Government’s moral obligations to service personnel and their families under the Armed

Found: recognises the UK Government’s moral obligations to service personnel and their families under the Armed

Found: On 6 March 2024, Lidl GB signed the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) at the iconic Horse Guards in London

Found: Recommendation 31: Under the Armed Forces Covenant, the MoD should procure the support of the health

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