The UK Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting veterans through a range of measures aimed at housing, healthcare, employment, and recognition of their service.
Responding to a written question from Maureen Burke MP, Al Carns, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and Minister for Veterans, outlined the extensive steps being taken to ensure that veterans receive the support they deserve.
Carns began by asserting the Government’s dedication, stating, “This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am working across government and with civil society to ensure veterans get access to the support they need.”
Housing Support
Significant progress has been made in tackling homelessness among veterans, with Carns pointing to the continuation of the Reducing Veterans Homelessness Programme, including Operation FORTITUDE. The initiative, which received an additional £3.5 million in funding in November 2024, offers a single referral pathway for veterans at risk of homelessness.
“Housing support is available across the United Kingdom through Op FORTITUDE,” Carns explained. “This system provides housing guidance and assistance to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. As of 5 January 2025, 2,993 referrals have been made and 854 veterans have been supported into housing.”
He also highlighted earlier reforms that exempt veterans from local connection and residency tests when applying for social housing in England, ensuring easier access to housing.
Healthcare Services
Specialist healthcare services are a cornerstone of the Government’s support for veterans. Carns noted that Operation RESTORE provides care for veterans with physical health problems, while Operation COURAGE offers mental health support to service leavers, veterans, and reservists.
“As of 3 January 2025, over 35,000 referrals have been made to Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE has over 1,000 service users,” he stated. While healthcare provision varies across the UK’s devolved administrations, these initiatives demonstrate a commitment to meeting veterans’ diverse needs.
Employment Opportunities
Tailored employment programmes, such as the Career Transition Partnership, help veterans transition to civilian life. Carns described this as “the initial point of provision for those leaving military service in search of new job opportunities.”
Legislative and Financial Support
The Government say it has delivered its manifesto commitment to include the Veteran Card in the list of acceptable voter identification documents, with the legislation taking effect in December 2024.
Further, Carns highlighted the launch of an LGBT financial recognition scheme in December 2024. With a £75 million budget—50% higher than the recommendation in the Etherton review—the scheme has enabled the delivery of almost all of the 49 recommendations made by Lord Etherton.
Carns concluded by reaffirming the Government’s ongoing support for veterans, stating, “We will continue to stand up for those who served and have served and are currently reviewing how we can make veterans’ support more institutionally resilient.”
One thing missing is NHS Dentistry. Although, to be fair, NHS Dentistry has been AWOL for a long time!
Most of this support never transpires. I had to write to my MP to get the NHS to give me an appointment (hearing loss and tinnitus) – so much for veteran priority!
So many different charities that apparently support veterans. But, I have never got any help from them.
Unlike the USA, we are not valued or treated with respect for our service.
What happened to the FORCES COVENANT, no one ever mentions it these days.
It’s still there. The priorities identified are it’s core functions. With regards to the NHS care vets who can’t be seen via normal NHS process should be treated to private care. I include dentistry in this. An immigrant economic or persecuted living free in a hotel is afforded this service.
I have a section 21 no fault eviction and my West Suffolk council isn’t much help. If anything it’s causing more anxiety and stress. We are still a medical C and have to be out by the 19th of February. Severe PTSD
Hi Skill,
I hope everything gets sorted soon with your housing Have you contacted Haig Housing Trust?
Take care of yourself and reach out to Haig Housing if you haven’t already done so. You are important! Thank you for your service.
Veterns priority on the NHS rubbish just had another appointment for my knee cancelled
Veterans UK at Norcross is a a disgraceful organisation, a complete investigation/review of their working practices should be undertaken as the treat disabled veterans with nothing but contempt. Complain against them and they investigate themselves!
Ok, as a vet myself, I have worked with others both in a professional, and since retiring, a voluntary basis. The support is nationally a total disgrace. Ignore government propaganda. The only effective interventions take place in a few locations and come from charities. The most effective are regimental. Example, one uncle was dropped at Arnhem. A few years ago he was bed blocking for want of an assessment before he went home. No joy, loads of buck passing. Contact the Parachute Regiment? Within a week, handrails, stairlift and bathroom fittings installed in his home. And the icing? A mobility scooter to aid his daily activities and allow some independence. That is veteran support.
Hi Skill,
I hope everything gets sorted soon with your housing Have you contacted Haig Housing Trust?
Take care of yourself and reach out to Haig Housing if you haven’t already done so. You are important! Thank you for your service.
We met Maureen Burke and amazed her to write to parliament on this subject. She is our MP and as such, our representative where our veterans accommodation is based.
What we actually asked for, when we met Maureen, before Christmas, was an independent body – like an ombudsman – to rule over the AFCS, SPVA, SSAFA, and all the government’s other agencies who decide how veterans are treated. Because no one is auditing them, or holding them to higher standards.
We don’t want drops of money thrown at a small handful of initiatives. We want ridiculous rulings, injustice and petty mindedness of civil servants making bad calls over veterans care, eradicated.
And that can only happen with an ombudsman. We have an ombudsman for energy, water, financial services, etc, why not veterans?
*asked her to write
Excuse the autocorrect. It should not read “amazed”.
*asked – not amazed
None of the so called charities for veterans help when you stay in the Highlands of Scotland they just don’t want to know, I was medically discharged from navy got no help from council either
So far, my experience with charities has been terrible. I do think that most, if not all charities ‘supporting’ veterans should be investigated as they appear to be just jobs ‘for the boys’, take lots of money from well-meaning people and provide little or no real help.
I purchased my discharge in 1979, after several Op Banner tours. It was a case of one minute living in a barracks at Tidworth and the next day I was in civilian street. I was sent some forms which allegedly were for assisting me in getting employment. I filled them in sent them off, heard nothing for 45 years and still not heard. I was never given any advice on accommodation. At the time of leaving I was drinking heavily and fighting but fortunately never got into trouble with the Police. I eventually after 7 years turn my life around and got myself a career path. Now at 71 I am retiring in April. Good luck to all past veterans and future veterans.
What about families they serve equaly as well my wife had a stroke last year and thanks to our wonderful Welsh NHS she spent 28 hours sitting in a&e with all the reat of the people with sore thumbs etc and on discharge from hospital next to support
Well done UK thats how to look after ex people and there dependents between myself and my son we have given over 55 years to this country
I served over 14 years in the Royal Artillery. In all deployments around the globe. I broke my leg badly which put paid to my career.
My hearing was damaged . I found that if you go to the doctor’s, hospitals and you inform them you are an army veteran you get pushed up the list.
I live in the N e of England, I don’t know if that makes any difference, but tell whoever your seeing that you are an military veteran .
It helps in the NE.
Support…what support!
Try showing your CV to a potential employer in Northern Ireland, no chance for ex services?
The ‘British’ government are a complete joke!