To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans with amputations or other permanent injuries were reassessed for disability-related benefits in each of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans with amputations or other permanent injuries were reassessed for disability-related benefits in each of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce reassessment requirements for veterans with permanent and irreversible service-related injuries for Personal Independence Payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce reassessment requirements for veterans with permanent and irreversible service-related injuries for Personal Independence Payments.

New clause 50 debated and negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 51 debated and withdrawn. New clause 52 negatived on division (1 to 9). New clause 56 negatived on division (1 to 9). New clause 57, discussed with new clauses 58 and 104, debated and withdrawn. New clause 66 debated and negatived on division (4 to 8). New clause 72 debated and negatived on division (2 to 9). New clause 76 negatived on division (1 to 13). New clause 77 debated and withdrawn. New clause 81, discussed with new clause 82, debated and negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 82 negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 83 debated and negatived on division (4 to 10). New clause 84 negatived on division (5 to 9). New clause 85, discussed with new clause 98, debated and negatived on division (5 to 9). New clause 86 debated and negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 87, discussed with new clause 113, debated and negatived on division (5 to 9). New clause 96, discussed with new clause 97, debated and withdrawn. New clause 97 negatived on division (5 to 9). New clause 98 negatived on division (5 to 9). New clause 99 debated and negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 101 debated and negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 104 negatived on division (5 to 9). New clause 105, discussed with new clause 106, debated and negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 106 negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 108, discussed with new clause 109, debated and withdrawn. New clause 109 negatived on division (5 to 9). New clause 112, discussed with new clauses 110 and 111, debated and negatived on division (4 to 9). New schedule 1 agreed to. Clauses 68 and 69 agreed to. Clause 70, as amended, agreed to. Amendment 37 to clause 71 negatived on division (4 to 9). Amendment 38 to clause 71 negatived on division (4 to 9). Amendment 39 to clause 71 negatived on division (5 to 9). Clause 71, as amended, agreed to. Clause 72 agreed to. Bill, as amended, to be reported (Bill 131). Written evidence reported to the House.

New clause 50 debated and negatived on division (4 to 9). New clause 51 debated and withdrawn. New clause 52 negatived on division (1 to 9). New clause 56 negatived on division (1 to 9). New clause 57, discussed with new clauses 58 and 104, debated and withdrawn. New clause...

My constituent Clint is a veteran who suffered blast-related traumatic brain injuries during his service. Clint and his partner, Carol, are campaigning to get the MOD to recognise such injuries and provide more support to veterans. What is the Minister doing to address this issue, and will he please meet me to discuss how services across Government can be more joined up to support constituents such as Clint and veterans up and down the country?

My constituent Clint is a veteran who suffered blast-related traumatic brain injuries during his service. Clint and his partner, Carol, are campaigning to get the MOD to recognise such injuries and provide more support to veterans. What is the Minister doing to address this issue, and will he please meet me to discuss how services across Government can be more joined up to support constituents such as Clint and veterans up and down the country?

I thank the hon. Member for raising such an important issue, and I thank Clint and Carol for their service. Our blast injury support is world leading. We have invested £3.65 million in cutting-edge scanning technology, and we collaborate internationally to drive forward research on blast-induced and traumatic brain injuries. Our work on traumatic brain injuries complements wider efforts to ensure that no veteran falls through the cracks. We have invested more than £25 million in Op Courage since the election so that veterans in England can continue to access specialist mental health and wellbeing services.

I thank the hon. Member for raising such an important issue, and I thank Clint and Carol for their service. Our blast injury support is world leading. We have invested £3.65 million in cutting-edge scanning technology, and we collaborate internationally to drive forward research on blast-induced and traumatic brain injuries. Our work on traumatic brain injuries complements wider efforts to ensure that no veteran falls through the cracks. We have invested more than £25 million in Op Courage since the election so that veterans in England can continue to access specialist mental health and wellbeing services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans with amputations or other permanent injuries were reassessed for disability-related benefits in each of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans with amputations or other permanent injuries were reassessed for disability-related benefits in each of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans with (a) amputations and (b) other permanent injuries were reassessed for disability-related benefits in each of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans with (a) amputations and (b) other permanent injuries were reassessed for disability-related benefits in each of the last three years.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising this important point—I am enjoying our weekly exchanges! Every veteran who served our country should be looked after and better able to access any compensation that they are entitled to. We have dedicated pathways for veterans in every jobcentre to provide support with benefit claims and complex cases. I can assure and reassure him that anyone coming forward will get tailored support, and we will seek to resolve any issues swiftly and fairly to see where we can improve. If the right hon. Gentleman or other Members have any specific cases, they can pass the details to us, and we will look at them. I noticed that the BBC reported on the right hon. Gentleman’s question last week as being almost certainly his last to me as Prime Minister—a reminder that you shouldn’t always believe everything you read in the news! I look forward to seeing him—same time, same place—next week.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising this important point—I am enjoying our weekly exchanges! Every veteran who served our country should be looked after and better able to access any compensation that they are entitled to. We have dedicated pathways for veterans in every jobcentre to provide support with benefit claims and complex cases. I can assure and reassure him that anyone coming forward will get tailored support, and we will seek to resolve any issues swiftly and fairly to see where we can improve. If the right hon. Gentleman or other Members have any specific cases, they can pass the details to us, and we will look at them. I noticed that the BBC reported on the right hon. Gentleman’s question last week as being almost certainly his last to me as Prime Minister—a reminder that you shouldn’t always believe everything you read in the news! I look forward to seeing him—same time, same place—next week.

Q11

.

Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con):

Through omission or insufficient advice, injured veterans may fail to place their compensation in a trust within the one year allowed by universal credit. Can discretion be had in compassionate cases?

Q11

.

Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con):

Through omission or insufficient advice, injured veterans may fail to place their compensation in a trust within the one year allowed by universal credit. Can discretion be had in compassionate cases?

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will take steps to reduce reassessment requirements for Personal Independence Payments for veterans with permanent and irreversible service-related injuries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will take steps to reduce reassessment requirements for Personal Independence Payments for veterans with permanent and irreversible service-related injuries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will consider exempting compensation awarded to veterans for service-related (a) illness and (b) injury from means testing for benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will consider exempting compensation awarded to veterans for service-related (a) illness and (b) injury from means testing for benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 12-month limit on capital disregard applied to Armed Forces Compensation Scheme lump sum payments in Universal Credit on injured veterans and their families with caring responsibilities when a personal...

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 12-month limit on capital disregard applied to Armed Forces Compensation Scheme lump sum payments in Universal Credit on injured veterans and their families with caring responsibilities when a personal...

Motion, That this House has considered the potential merits of a medal for service personnel wounded in combat. Agreed to on question.

Motion, That this House has considered the potential merits of a medal for service personnel wounded in combat. Agreed to on question.

I beg to move,

That this House has considered the potential merits of a medal for service personnel wounded in combat.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Vickers. The UK’s military honours system is comprehensive. We recognise gallantry through the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. We commemorate...

I beg to move,

That this House has considered the potential merits of a medal for service personnel wounded in combat.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Vickers. The UK’s military honours system is comprehensive. We recognise gallantry through the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. We commemorate...

I commend the hon. Gentleman for bringing forward the debate. I spoke to him beforehand. Obviously, I am a Northern Ireland MP, and I declare an interest as someone who served in the forces in Northern Ireland for some 14 and a half years. I gently remind Members that many...

I commend the hon. Gentleman for bringing forward the debate. I spoke to him beforehand. Obviously, I am a Northern Ireland MP, and I declare an interest as someone who served in the forces in Northern Ireland for some 14 and a half years. I gently remind Members that many...

I completely agree with the hon. Member; he makes an excellent point.

According to Ministry of Defence statistics, since January 2006 a total of 2,644 personnel have sustained battle injuries while on operation—that is, they were wounded as a result of hostile action. Behind every one of those numbers is a...

I completely agree with the hon. Member; he makes an excellent point.

According to Ministry of Defence statistics, since January 2006 a total of 2,644 personnel have sustained battle injuries while on operation—that is, they were wounded as a result of hostile action. Behind every one of those numbers is a...

I congratulate my hon. Friend on bringing forward the debate. I fully support this excellent campaign to create a brand-new medal for all servicemen and women who have been wounded in combat. He mentions Andy Reid’s charitable works, which are legendary in themselves. I had the pleasure of meeting Andy...

I congratulate my hon. Friend on bringing forward the debate. I fully support this excellent campaign to create a brand-new medal for all servicemen and women who have been wounded in combat. He mentions Andy Reid’s charitable works, which are legendary in themselves. I had the pleasure of meeting Andy...

I completely agree. Andy’s motto, that he is a survivor, not a victim, is not about wallowing in what has happened but recognising it and using it to grow and help others. That is exactly what he is doing day in, day out.

Andy wears his operational service medal for Afghanistan...

I completely agree. Andy’s motto, that he is a survivor, not a victim, is not about wallowing in what has happened but recognising it and using it to grow and help others. That is exactly what he is doing day in, day out.

Andy wears his operational service medal for Afghanistan...

I completely endorse what my hon. Friend is saying and his plan for a medal. Does he agree that organisations such as Veterans in Sefton in my constituency do a remarkable job, supporting people across Merseyside? This would be another symbol of our support for our veterans, who do such...

I completely endorse what my hon. Friend is saying and his plan for a medal. Does he agree that organisations such as Veterans in Sefton in my constituency do a remarkable job, supporting people across Merseyside? This would be another symbol of our support for our veterans, who do such...

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. In our part of the world, we have a long and proud history of service in the armed forces; I know it is the same in his part of Merseyside as it is in mine. I thank him for raising that point and...

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. In our part of the world, we have a long and proud history of service in the armed forces; I know it is the same in his part of Merseyside as it is in mine. I thank him for raising that point and...