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Unemployment: Veterans

Answer

DWP Ministers and officials regularly meet with organisations representing members of the armed forces community, including veterans. Many of the veterans’ organisations work directly with the Jobcentre network to offer a range of specialist advice and help to veterans and family members who are in receipt of benefits. Those leaving the services are able to receive support to secure employment in a number of ways, including through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). (The CTP can provide resettlement support, career transition advice and training opportunities.) DWP also gives veterans early voluntary entry to the Health and Work Programme if they wish.

Veterans generally do well in securing employment once they have left the forces. Working age UK Armed Forces veterans residing in Great Britain were as likely to be employed (79% for both groups) as the comparable non-veteran population. (Source - Annual Population Survey: UK Armed Forces veterans residing in Great Britain 2017.) And 84% of the 2017/18 UK regular service leavers who used CTP services and reported their employment outcomes were employed within six months of leaving the Service. (Source: Career Transition Partnership Annual Statistic: UK Regular Service personnel Employment 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2019.)

DWP has traditionally collected some information on claims from veterans through our Labour Market System. As veterans claiming benefits increasingly receive Universal Credit rather than legacy benefits, we are looking to see what opportunities might be available to better identify and record veterans to help ensure they get the appropriate tailored help and support they need.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

5090

Session

2019-19

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Unemployment Veterans

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk