This Government is committed to making sure that our veterans have equitable access and opportunity to a full range of career options after leaving military service, including self-employment, SME (small & medium-sized enterprise) ownership and entrepreneurship.

The Government-owned British Business Bank has a specialist delivery partner, X-Forces Enterprise, for its Start Up Loans programme which specifically supports veterans, members of the wider Armed Forces community and their family members. Since 2013 there have been over 3000 Start Up Loans delivered by X-Forces Enterprise, totalling over £33 million of finance provided.

This Government is committed to making sure that our veterans and their families have equitable access and opportunity to a full range of career options after leaving military service, and to working with employers to make this vision a reality.

The recently announced Op PROSPER backed by £2.1 million in government funding will work closely with employers and industry bodies to establish new clear and accessible routes for veterans and their families into employment which makes the most of their skills and capabilities, in key industries at the forefront of innovation and economic growth.

We have also introduced and continued 12-month National Insurance relief for eligible employers recruiting veterans in their first civilian role after leaving military service, which is of benefit to all businesses and employers across the country.

This work is supported by the OVA-launched Employers Guide to Hiring Veterans which showcases innovation and best practice and the OVA-hosted Veteran Employers’ Group brings together leading employers from across the UK.

This Government is committed to making sure that our veterans and their families have equitable access and opportunity to a full range of career options after leaving military service, and to working with employers to make this vision a reality.

The recently announced Op PROSPER backed by £2.1 million in government funding will work closely with employers and industry bodies to establish new clear and accessible routes for veterans and their families into employment which makes the most of their skills and capabilities, in key industries at the forefront of innovation and economic growth.

We have also introduced and continued 12-month National Insurance relief for eligible employers recruiting veterans in their first civilian role after leaving military service, which is of benefit to all businesses and employers across the country.

This work is supported by the OVA-launched Employers Guide to Hiring Veterans which showcases innovation and best practice and the OVA-hosted Veteran Employers’ Group brings together leading employers from across the UK.

This Government is committed to making sure that our veterans and their families have equitable access and opportunity to a full range of career options after leaving military service, and to health, including mental health support whenever it is needed.

Op COURAGE is the NHS England veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service, funded by over £21m per year. Op COURAGE works with several charities and local organisations to provide help with wider health and wellbeing needs.

Earlier this year we launched a campaign with NHS England and the Royal College of GPs to boost the uptake of Op COURAGE, and to encourage GP practices to become veteran friendly accredited.

Veterans employment is at an all-time high, with 89% with six months of leaving service, of those engaging with Career Transition Partnership support.

Op PROSPER backed by £2.1 million in government funding will offer tailored support to veterans and their families entering into employment or taking the next step in their careers wherever they may be based in the UK, at any point in their lives after leaving service.

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member on 20 May 2024. (UINs PQ26837-PQ26838-PQ26840).

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member on 20 May 2024. (UINs PQ26837-PQ26838-PQ26840).

Further to question 18034, the Office of Veterans’ Affairs plans to launch the improvements by October.

Updated guidance on GOV.UK for veterans is underway, and will be updated iteratively as we work through the pages available.

This Government is committed to making sure that our veterans and their families have equitable access and opportunity to a full range of career options after leaving military service, including access to the qualifications, training and skills development they may need to progress in their careers.

The recently announced Op PROSPER backed by £2.1 million in government funding includes the £700,000 Veterans’ Career Development Fund grant, which makes funding available to organisations providing qualifications, training and skills development to veterans and their families in locally based communities across the country.

The Veterans’ Career Development Fund is administered as a grant by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and includes a planned evaluation of the overall Op PROSPER programme and its outcomes.

This Government is committed to making sure that all veterans have equal opportunities and can access valuable, sustainable careers, including in the Civil Service, after they leave the Armed Forces.

A breakdown of demographics and locations of veterans who apply to Civil Service roles is not held in the format requested.

This Government is committed to making sure that all veterans have equal opportunities and can access valuable, sustainable careers, including in the Civil Service, after they leave the Armed Forces.

A breakdown of demographics and locations of veterans who apply to Civil Service roles is not held in the format requested.

This Government is committed to making sure that all veterans have equal opportunities and can access valuable, sustainable careers, including in the Civil Service, after they leave the Armed Forces.

A breakdown of demographics and locations of veterans who apply to Civil Service roles is not held in the format requested.

This Government has successfully reduced inflation by more than half, which will make the cost of living more affordable for veterans along with every other resident in the UK.

Veterans’ employment is at an all-time high, with 89% of those leaving service finding employment within six months, but we're determined to go further. The recently launched OP PROSPER backed by £2.1million in government funding will support veterans and their families into valuable, fulfilling employment in roles which fully utilise their skills and capabilities, based in sectors at the forefront of innovation and economic growth.

This government also introduced, and continued for at least one further year at the Autumn statement, 12-month National Insurance relief to eligible employers recruiting veterans in their first civilian role after service.

My officials continue to drive forward efforts to ensure that veterans and their families are fully aware of the benefits and support available to them, including in relation to easing the Cost of Living.

The information is not held in the format requested.

This Government is committed to making the United Kingdom the best place in the world to be a veteran. This includes making sure all veterans have equity of opportunity and access to valuable, sustainable careers after they leave military service.

Veterans’ employment in the UK is at an all-time high, at 89% within six months of leaving service for those who engage with the available support. Previously, this was at 88% in 2021/22, and 86% in 2018/19.

Op PROSPER, the first-of-its kind initiative backed by £2.1 million of government funding, will further support our veterans into valuable, fulfilling roles which make full use of their capabilities, in sectors at the forefront of the UK’s innovation and economic growth.

The Government launched the £20 million Veterans Capital Housing Fund to ensure the sustainable supply of veteran housing through the refurbishment of affordable rental accommodation and the delivery of new build projects for veterans.

The Fund is a three-year programme with multiple awards planned over that period. Grants supported to date are located in North East England; South East England; and Wales. More details on these grants can be found at https://covenantfund.org.uk/veterans-capital-housing-fund-refurbishment.

This question relates to ongoing legal proceedings therefore it would be inappropriate to provide any commentary until the legal process has concluded.

I refer my Rt Hon. Friend to the reply given to his question on 8 May 2024 (PQ UIN 23983)

This Government understands that, whilst the majority of women veterans go on to lead successful post-service lives, and the challenges they face are often the same as for men, the experiences and needs of women are sometimes different.

That is why we are developing the Government’s first Women Veterans’ Strategy, which will celebrate the successes of women veterans, but will also look at specific challenges they may face, in order to better address their needs.

As well as looking at the experiences of women who have served in the UK Armed Forces, the Strategy will recognise their contribution to society and identify what further tailored support could be provided, which includes considering the accessibility of support services.

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs have and will continue to engage with Stoll regarding the sale of Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions and the support being provided to residents during the transition period.

I am committed to ensuring that no veteran is sleeping rough due to a lack of provision, which is why the Government has dedicated nearly £30 million towards the provision of veteran housing.

This includes the single referral pathway for homeless veterans, Op FORTITUDE, that received £500,000 of funding, which is part of a broader £8.55 million of funding for specialist help and wrap-around support for veterans in more than 900 supported housing units.

This Government remains committed to making the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran.

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs have and will continue to engage with Stoll regarding the sale of Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions and the support being provided to residents during the transition period.

I am committed to ensuring that no veteran is sleeping rough due to a lack of provision, which is why the Government has dedicated nearly £30 million towards the provision of veteran housing.

This includes the single referral pathway for homeless veterans, Op FORTITUDE, that received £500,000 of funding, which is part of a broader £8.55 million of funding for specialist help and wrap-around support for veterans in more than 900 supported housing units.

This Government remains committed to making the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran.