The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson MP has announced a new Strategy for Veterans and a cross-party
Veterans Unit to urgently investigate the serious issues affecting the health, wealth and social well-being of Veterans in the UK.
He has instructed the team behind these initiatives to prioritise the following key issues and to report back in the Autumn with a strategy to tackle them:
- Debt
- Housing
- Social Isolation
- Mental and Physical Wellbeing
- Public Perception of Veterans
He said:
“We have a golden opportunity to ensure our veterans get a fair deal for their service and sacrifice to our country. The vast majority of those leaving the Armed Forces go on to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives, which is a testament to their professionalism and resilience. However, for those who need help it is right that we step forward, create new opportunities, and remind them that they are not alone. Everybody across our society has a responsibility to make sure we protect those who protected us.”
The Minister for Defence People and Veterans,
Tobias Ellwood MP, former of the Royal Green Jackets, said:
I am pleased to have seen real progress made since the last meeting of the Ministerial Board, including a significant cross-government effort to ensure our veterans are in no way disadvantaged by their previous career.
Recent initiatives, such as the troops to teachers bursary, the new veterans ID cards and the growing popularity of the Veterans Gateway are all making a practical difference and I look forward to seeing how this new strategy can help build on the Armed Forces Covenant to show that our commitment to our brave men and women lasts long after they have left service.
The full press release from the MOD is
here.
What would you say is the most frequent problem afflicting Veterans in the UK?
