Ministers pressed to expand support for UK veterans

The government has outlined efforts to improve veteran support services following a series of questions in Parliament from MPs across multiple parties.

Al Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, responded to concerns about post-service support, housing, and employment during oral questions in the House of Commons.

Responding to Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller (Bicester and Woodstock), Carns said the government recognised the challenge many former personnel face transitioning to civilian life. “We train people to join the military and to be in the military, but we do not necessarily train them to be a civilian after they leave,” he said.

Carns highlighted the launch of Operation Ascend, a new initiative aimed at helping veterans into civilian careers. He also noted that the government’s Career Transition Partnership had achieved an 88% employment rate for service leavers since October. “This Government have awarded £3.7 million in veterans housing grants,” he added.

Miller raised the issue of underfunding for local veterans groups, noting that organisations like the Heyford and Bicester Veterans Group in his constituency were not receiving Ministry of Defence (MOD) support or referrals.

He invited the minister to visit the group. Carns acknowledged the work of volunteers and noted ongoing efforts to improve veterans’ access to support: “We often find that while there is a great deal of support out there, it is difficult for veterans to navigate the process of finding the right place, and we are working on plans to help them with that.”

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said veterans often face difficulties accessing housing in areas with strong military ties like North Yorkshire. Carns acknowledged the broader challenge of affordable housing and pointed to the Op Fortitude programme, which has placed 825 veterans into homes through more than 3,000 referrals. “We work with many councils, explaining to them the covenant as a whole and the need for veterans to be fast-tracked,” he said.

Labour MP Catherine Atkinson (Derby North) raised the work of the Derventio Housing Trust, which supports veterans through housing and community initiatives. Carns praised the trust’s efforts and reiterated the government’s intention to develop a more structured approach: “We want to establish a structure that will focus that support and also direct veterans to the help that they need more quickly and effectively,” he said.

Lola McEvoy, Labour MP for Darlington, urged the minister to meet with members of the all-party parliamentary group on the armed forces to explore ways of replicating schemes that offer veterans guaranteed interviews for public sector roles. “It is a brilliant idea that would really benefit my constituents,” she said.

Carns welcomed the proposal, calling it “a great initiative.” He added: “Service beyond service is something that we should be promoting… so that when people leave the military they can secure at least a first interview for a role in the fire service, the police, the NHS or any other public services.”