Found: our team members throughout Capita (right up to our CEO of Capita Public Service Division ) being veterans

Found: We are committed to helping veterans transition into civilian careers and we are proud holders of

Found: Hull City Council The Veterans Work Club: support for those leaving the armed forces which includes

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner a full time post.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

We will set out next steps for the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner in due course.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to appoint a new Veterans’ Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland, including through the Veterans Welfare Service NI and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. We will set out next steps for the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of how many (a) serving armed forces personnel and (b) veterans have benefitted from the Right to Buy scheme in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not hold information on the number of serving armed forces personnel, or veterans, who have benefitted from the Right to Buy.

People who live in armed forces accommodation do not have the Right to Buy. The Right to Buy is only available to secure council tenants, and to some housing association tenants who were living in the home when it transferred from a council to a housing association, known as the Preserved Right to Buy. Any period spent in armed forces accommodation by eligible social housing tenants prior to applying can, however, count towards the minimum public sector tenancy qualifying period for Right to Buy and towards the discount entitlement.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veteran ID cards have been distributed in each local authority area.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Armed Forces Veteran Card Scheme was launched in two phases. Phase one is complete, with all service leavers since December 2018 being automatically issued with a card as part of their discharge process. Phase two extended access to veterans who left service before December 2018. The new digital application and verification service launched at 00:01 on 28 January 2024 allowing pre-2018 veterans to apply for the card.

As of 3 September 2024, 134,830 cards had been dispatched to pre 2018 veterans who had applied. The attached table shows the total number of Phase two cards distributed by postal county.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to make the veterans ID card more widely accepted.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As set out in our manifesto, this Government will address the inconsistencies in voter identification that prevent legitimate electors from voting, specifically including veterans of HM Armed Forces. We are considering what changes we wish to make in order to achieve this and will bring forward proposals in due course.

Currently, some of the uses for the card can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-a-veteran-card-as-a-service-leaver

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date he became aware of resignation of the Northern Ireland Veterans' Commissioner; and whether he had discussions with the Commissioner prior to his resignation.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

I became aware on 5 September that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland had accepted the resignation of the Commissioner. We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland through the Veterans Welfare Service NI and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support veterans in Northern Ireland following the resignation of the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

I became aware on 5 September that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland had accepted the resignation of the Commissioner. We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland through the Veterans Welfare Service NI and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate her Department has made of the number of veterans in prison.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

As per the statistics in the “Ex-service Personnel in the prison population: 2023” publication included at the following link, an estimated 3.6% of the prison population were ex-service personnel as of 30 June 2023: Offender Management Statistics quarterly: April to June 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to make the veterans ID card an acceptable form of photo ID for elections.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer my hon Friend to the answer given to Question UIN 1157 on 30 July 2024.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure sustainable long-term funding for the Veterans' Orthopaedic Service at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The NHS Long Term Plan committed the National Health Service to a series of financial reforms, designed to return the NHS to financial balance. NHS England’s regional finance team have been working directly with The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on possible solutions to enable funding for the service to continue.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to strengthen her Department's compliance with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department takes its responsibilities under the Armed Forces Covenant very seriously and is proud to continue to provide vital and significant support services for veterans which recognises their particular needs and circumstances.

For DWP, strengthening our compliance with the Armed Forces Covenant is about making sure that we have a benefits and employment support offer that meets the needs of veterans, serving personnel, and their families. DWP is fully committed to the Covenant and will do what is necessary to support members of the Armed Forces Community.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Government to improve services for veterans in (a) Dunfermline and Dollar constituency and (b) Scotland.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

The UK Government is committed to supporting those who served and risked their lives for this country - a great number of whom I know live in my honourable Friend’s constituency. The Office for Veterans Affairs continues to work closely with the Scottish Government as key areas of policy and support delivered to veterans are devolved. This includes support with employment, mental health, and housing. For example, the veteran employment pathway provides employment and career development support for veterans across the UK, and veterans in Scotland who are homeless can access a UK-wide referral housing pathway.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the number of veterans who were in receipt of the (a) War Disablement Pension, (b) Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, (c) Service Invaliding Pension and (d) Service Attributable Pension on 2 September 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As at 30 June 2024, the latest date for when data is available, 78,469 veterans were in receipt of a disablement pension under the War Pension Scheme (WPS) and 4,798 veterans were in receipt of a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) following an injury/illness claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

As at 4 September 2024, the estimated number of veterans in receipt of a Service Invaliding Pension (SIP) is 12,744 and the estimated number of veterans in receipt of a Service Attributable Pension (SAP) is 1,685.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential (a) impact of the proposed repeal and replacement of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 on veterans and (b) need for support for veterans in the context of potential civil action.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government recognises the dedicated service of veterans and serving personnel who did so much to keep people in Northern Ireland safe during the Troubles. We will engage closely with the veterans community on the way forwards in the Government’s approach to legacy.

We recognise the impact that historical investigations can have on serving and retired Service personnel, including on their mental health. This Government is committed to supporting our veterans by providing welfare and appropriate legal support, at public expense, to those involved in ongoing legal processes. Veterans are offered a range of welfare support, for their individual needs and circumstances.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed repeal and replacement of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 on veterans.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government recognises the dedicated service of veterans and serving personnel who did so much to keep people in Northern Ireland safe during the Troubles. We will engage closely with the veterans community on the way forwards in the Government’s approach to legacy.

We recognise the impact that historical investigations can have on serving and retired Service personnel, including on their mental health. This Government is committed to supporting our veterans by providing welfare and appropriate legal support, at public expense, to those involved in ongoing legal processes. Veterans are offered a range of welfare support, for their individual needs and circumstances.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department (a) is providing and (b) plans to provide to veterans that experienced hearing loss during their service.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

There is no individual compensation scheme for hearing loss. The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) compensates for any injury (including Noise-Induced Sensorineural Hearing Loss), illness or death which was caused by or worsened by service on or after 6 April 2005. The older War Pension Scheme (WPS) compensates for any injury, illness or death which was caused by or aggravated by service before 6 April 2005.

Medical evidence is carefully considered, and hearing loss is assessed initially for attributability to service, based on the burden of proof associated with the scheme rules set by Parliament.

In making a determination on a claim, decision makers take into consideration a wide variety of evidence. In a hearing loss claim this is likely to include but is not limited to the service medical records, audiograms, hospital case notes and GP records (if they have left service). The evidence is carefully considered in accordance with the scheme rules.

If injury is found to be attributable to service, under the AFCS, hearing loss is assessed against Tariff Table 7 (senses), which details the type and level of hearing loss required to meet the criteria for the specific descriptors. Under the WPS, a percentage assessment is derived based on audiometric values.

A 2023 review of the AFCS in the form of the quinquennial review (QQR) was last updated on 21 March 2024. The purpose of which is to ensure AFCS remains fit for purpose, providing appropriate recognition and financial support to those members of the Armed Forces who are injured, become ill or die as a result of service.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal to include UK service personnel who took part in (a) Operation Bagpipes in 1954 and (b) all other US tests.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Nuclear Test Medal was designed to recognise the unique contribution of those personnel who served at the locations in Australia and the Pacific where the UK Atmospheric Nuclear Test Programme, including clear-up operations, took place between 1952 and 1967. In particular, the Medal recognises the contribution made by these personnel to the development of the UK's independent deterrent.

The agreed eligibility criteria for the Medal do not currently include UK personnel who were not present in the defined test areas, personnel who monitored nuclear tests conducted by other nations, or personnel who were present at later, non-atmospheric, tests.

We recognise the sacrifices and the huge contribution that Nuclear Test Veterans have made to the UK’s security. The Secretary of State for Defence has directed the Department to look at the commemorative medal criteria, in consultation with other stakeholders.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which veterans' organisations he has met with to discuss his plans for the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

In my written ministerial statement of 29 July 2024, I committed to undertake a period of consultation with all interested parties, including veterans organisations, to hear views regarding a practical way forward on legacy issues that complies with human rights and can command support across communities in Northern Ireland and beyond.

I began this process by meeting the Victims and Survivors Forum and the South East Fermanagh Foundation on 28 August 2024, and will meet with other organisations, including those representing veterans, in the period ahead.

Found: of the Service Complaints Ombudsman , HC 1889 2017 –19, 7 August 2019 Drawing a line: Protecting veterans

Armed Services Advice Project funding

Found: Financial year Amount Announced by Date announced (£bn) 2022-23 1.3 Minister for Defence People and Veterans

Found: Gaps were also reported by a small number of forces in services to meet the needs of armed services veterans

Found: Armed Forces veterans receive on e of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.

Found: Armed Forces veterans receive one of the most generous pension sche mes i n the UK.

Found: Armed Forces veterans receive one of the most generous pension sche mes i n the UK.

Found: Help using this Veterans UK PDF form About this form • You must download and save this form to your

Found: Veterans Railcard A Veterans Railcard costs £30 and will save you a third on rail fares throughout Great

Found: Find support in your area: specialist healthcare for veterans in England specialist healthcare for veterans

Found: The Army LGBT+ network The Army LGBT+ Network is keen to keep in touch with veterans.

Found: Prosper is a government-backed scheme that aims to ensure equal access to employment opportunities for veterans

Found: You can check what schemes you have a pension en titlement in by contacting DBS Veterans UK: DBS Veterans

Found: Help using this Veterans UK PDF form About this form • You must download and save this form to your

Found: Residences Scottish Veterans Residences provides emergency accommodation for homeless veterans in Scotland

Found: have and ensure you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated health and well-being services for veterans

Found: have and ensure you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated health and well-being services for veterans

Found: He is Treasurer of a charity for veterans (Stoll), and an Oxford community arts charity (Arts at the

Found: Ministry of Defence recognise LGBT Veterans in milestone ceremony to help right the wrongs of the past

Found: pre-settled status Bereaved partners of members of HM Armed Forces, Gurkhas or Hong Kong military unit veterans

Found: consultation with victims and survivors, the Northern Ireland political parties, the Irish Government, veterans

Found: Statement from the Secretary of State following the resignation of the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner

Found: schemes to support those who may need extra help in obtaining employment such as prison leavers and veterans

Found: schemes to support those who may need extra help in obtaining employment such as prison leavers and veterans

Found: . • Veterans and reservists into construction. • Took part in the Great British Tommy Sleepout.

Found: Armed Forces veterans receive one of the most generous pension sche mes i n the UK.

Found: Veterans Railcard A Veterans Railcard costs £30 and will save you a third on rail fares throughout Great

Found: Find support in your area: specialist healthcare for veterans in England specialist healthcare for veterans

Found: Armed Forces veterans receive on e of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.

Found: Help using this Veterans UK PDF form About this form • You must download and save this form to your

Found: Armed Forces veterans receive one of the most generous pension sche mes i n the UK.

Found: Ministry of Defence recognise LGBT Veterans in milestone ceremony to help right the wrongs of the past

Found: Davina Shiell, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans 22.

Found: withSubject2023-03-01 00:00:00MeetingEmma Roddick MSPJustice2023-03-01 00:00:00Formal Opening / LaunchLaunch of Veterans

Found: Justice 2024 Cc: Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans

Found: The Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, today announced the reappointment

Found: CABINET SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE AND VETERANS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON SPIKING 1 FOI REVIEW 202400393148

Found: Veterans in Michigan were given a mobility wallet (with paid travel) that they could use.

Found: Members to contact NC directly, if they can offer support with cyber related training delivered to veterans

Found: gov.scot>; Redacted < Redacted@gov.scot> Cc: Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, and Veterans

Found: The Criminal Jus tice Committee wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans on 22 November

Found: This was discussed by the committee with the Cab Sec for Justice and Veterans, supported by REDACTED

Found: There are also other groups, such as veterans, refugees, children, young people, adults and families

Found: JUSTICEDIRECTORATE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIESDSF : Defence, Security and Cyber ResiliencePolicy Manager - Veterans

Found: for Equalities, Migration and Refugees cc: Minister for Higher Education, Further Education and Veterans

Found: Secretary for Education and Skills (JG) Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans

Found: Over the past 2 years we have facilitated an online employment event for the spouses and partners of veterans

Found: Skills 2024 Cc: Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans

Found: At Ferguson Marine, seasoned veterans work side by side with apprentices, sharing their knowledge and

Found: In Q1 of 2020, we have met with Graeme Dey MSP (Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans) and

Found: Dementia • Autism • Health impact of problem gambling • Substance misuse • Armed Forces and Veterans

Found: ‘Armed Forces veterans’ – 09:30, 13 June 2024 B.

Found: Keeping the Promise < MinisterCYPKP@gov.scot >; Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, and Veterans

Found: The first email is from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans to the Minister for Equalities

Found: Trust Housing Association who support older people to live independently; a meeting with the Scottish Veterans

Found: ARE)DG NZ1Adverse Childhood Experiences, Trauma & ResilienceTeam LeaderC1TRAUMA, SURVIVOR SUPPORT AND VETERANS

Found: There will be a debate on veterans on Thursday 5 October.

Found: Independence < MinisterforIndy@gov.scot > Cc: Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, and Veterans

Found: Transport < MinisterFT@gov.scot > Cc: [Redacted] ; [Redacted] ; Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans

Found: s38(1)(b)] <[Redacted s38(1)(b)] @gov.scot>; Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, and Veterans

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of access to dental care for (a) Armed Forces personnel and (b) veterans in Scotland.

Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health

A) Armed forces personnel receive dental care through the Defence Dental Service – a tri-service dental services to the UK Armed Forces - and is therefore not within the locus of the Scottish Government.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review options for extending the provision of financial support for the Veterans Community Support Service, which is run under the auspices of Legion Scotland, beyond the current end point for grant funding in 2026.

Answered by Dey, Graeme - Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans

The Scottish Government does not currently provide direct funding to Legion Scotland’s Veterans Community Support Service. The Service does, however, receive Scottish Government grant funding indirectly through the Unforgotten Forces consortium.

The Unforgotten Forces consortium independently allocates funding from the grant amongst their partners each financial year, in line with grant conditions. Therefore, the decision on whether to continue the funding that Veterans Community Support Service currently receives will be made by the consortium.

A possible alternative source of funding for the Veterans Community Support Service is the Scottish Government’s Scottish Veterans Fund. The Fund provides a total of £500,000 per annum for projects that support the Armed Forces and veterans community. Details regarding the 2026-2027 funding round will be announced closer to the time.