A new Office for Veteran’s Affairs will aim to provide lifelong support to armed forces personnel including mental health and employment.
The Prime Minister announced that the new Office for Veteran’s Affairs will be led by Cabinet Officer Oliver Dowden and MOD and Cabinet Office Minister Johnny Mercer while visiting a Scottish military base. The department will aim to support personnel with issues such as mental and physical health and accessing education and employment.
This is the first time that veterans’ affairs will be overseen by dedicated ministers in the Cabinet Office to ensure the whole of government works to deliver lifelong support for veterans. The newly created Office for Veterans’ Affairs inside the Cabinet Office will be staffed by officials from the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Defence (and others as necessary).
Johnny Mercer, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, said: “For the first time in its history, the UK Government will have an Office for Veterans’ Affairs to pull together all functions of government to ensure that when our Armed Forces personnel leave service, they are looked after in the manner that they deserve.”
“I am delighted with this role, and am resolutely determined to reset this country’s relationship with her veterans. I entered parliament to do precisely this; I am grateful for the opportunity this Prime Minister has given me to do this, and I look forward to getting on with the task at hand.”
The aim is to create a holistic approach to issues affecting armed forces personnel. The Office will work with different organisations to coordinate efforts to improve the support available to armed forces members.
Oliver Dowden will also co-chair the Ministerial Covenant and Veteran’s Board to improve veteran support across government. Johnny Mercer and Oliver Dowden will begin working on the structure immediately and report progress to the government.
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