The Government has unveiled a new UK-wide veteran support initiative known as VALOUR, backed by £50 million in funding, aimed at streamlining access to services for former Armed Forces personnel across the country.
The announcement was made by Defence Secretary John Healey and Minister for Veterans and People Al Carns during VE Week, marking what officials described as a significant step toward fully implementing the Armed Forces Covenant and renewing the country’s commitment to its service community.
According to the Ministry of Defence, VALOUR is designed to strengthen coordination between veteran charities, local authorities, and national government, while using data-driven tools to improve outcomes across housing, employment, health, and welfare.
“VALOUR will help ensure that every veteran, regardless of where they live, can access joined-up support to help them reach their full potential,” said Carns, noting that the initiative would create a new network of recognised support centres and deploy Regional Field Officers to link existing services.
The system’s architecture also includes expanding digital access, with Armed Forces Veteran Cards set to become the first digitised government documents available in GOV.UK digital wallets later this year.
In addition to structural reforms, the new programme includes continued support measures such as extended National Insurance relief for veteran employers and the removal of local connection requirements for veterans seeking social housing. The Government also pointed to recent efforts including the launch of Operation ASCEND, a scheme aimed at helping veterans transition into sustainable employment.
VALOUR’s design allows for future scalability, with officials confirming that while the initial focus is on veterans, the service will eventually be broadened to support the wider Armed Forces community.
It would be wonderful if they did something. Support fir veterans especially disabled ones is spotty at best, woeful and not fit fid purpose at worst
Good start better than nothing, but its at best window dress and will not deal with follow on health care or homelessness. Might do a lot of veterans a favour and stop dragging them back to Northern Ireland up to 40/50 years later. Not seeing many terrorists being dragged back.
50 million is insulting to those who have served their country.
I’d welcome guaranteed job interviews (provided you meet the required criteria of course)