Thank you for contacting me about support for veterans.
I am incredibly proud of the courage and dedication of our Armed Forces and it is our duty to ensure that those who have served our country continue to receive the very best possible care, particularly those who need extra support. While for the vast majority of veterans their experience of serving is positive, I understand your concerns for their welfare that is why I welcomed the creation of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in 2019, which sits at the heart of Government in the Cabinet Office and was pleased at the reinstatement of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, who attends Cabinet. The office's aim is to take on the challenges faced by our nation’s veterans by coordinating action to support the welfare of veterans and their families in their civilian lives. The office drives forward policy on veterans’ welfare across the UK Government, spanning mental and physical health, education, and employment.
But no one knows what it’s like to be a veteran in Britain better than veterans themselves. That is why the Office for Veterans' Affairs have funded, commissioned, and launched the first every UK-wide Veterans survey, which will ensure that Government can adapt services to better meet the needs of veterans and their families. The survey closed on 2 February 2023 - I will be sure to follow developments closely.
Additionally, the Ministry of Defence works closely with the NHS and service charities to ensure that veterans who have been physically injured have access to appropriate care. For example, the Veterans Trauma Network aims to provide a safety net for trauma-recovering veterans and transitioning Service personnel, to ensure their life-long healthcare needs are met. Furthermore, the Veterans’ Gateway, provided by a consortium of veteran charities, provides 24/7 support and advice to veterans and their families. This includes help with health concerns, housing, employment, and finance, all issues which disproportionately affect disabled veterans.
I warmly welcome the significant progress that has been made in a range of veterans’ support and services, including in healthcare, housing and employment, since the launch of the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan in January
2022. The Action Plan set out specific provisions to help make Britain the best place in the world to be a veteran by 2028, underpinned by over £70 million to help support veterans and their families between 2022-2024.
Furthermore, following a competitive process where organisations across the UK had the opportunity to bid for funding from the £5m Veterans' Health Innovation Fund, I am proud to announce that 67 per cent of the funding will go to academic organisations, 19 per cent will go to charities, and 14 per cent to the private sector. This funding will be used to harness the best UK innovation, and spur advancements in research and trials to better support veterans with service-attributable physical and mental health conditions.
Most recently, I am glad the Government is providing an additional £33 million, as announced in the Spring Budget, over the next three years to increase the service provided to veterans, including support for those with serious physical injury resulting from their service and increasing the availability of veteran housing.
I hope the above has reassured you that the welfare of this country's veterans is a high priority for the Government and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.