Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Jane Kennedy (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 11 January 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Veteran Support

Question: I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Will he look again at the case of Mr. William Harvey? After 17 years of distinguished service in the British Army, during which he was injured on three occasions, in Bosnia and in Northern Ireland, he has been in receipt of Veterans Agency support as compensation for his injuries, but he is therefore unable to receive jobseeker's allowance. The jobseeker's allowance rules appear to bar him from receiving the support of jobseekers' advisers in gaining new employment. This policy muddle should be addressed.

Answer: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for raising that issue, and a similar case was raised when I met veterans the other day. I am working on this, alongside other issues concerning overlapping policies, with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions, and we will make an announcement in February.

Secondary information