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House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
More
Publisher
Lords Statement on what progress has been achieved by the Government's Veterans Initiative since it was launched a year ago. [HL 3337].
Lords Statement on what progress has been achieved by the Government's Veterans Initiative since it was launched a year ago. [HL 3337].
Asked by
Baroness Serota
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 2002
Answered on
20 March 2002
Subjects
Care homes; Curriculum; Charities; Armed forces; Cooperation; Bereavement benefits; Education; Social security benefits; War pensions; Widowed people; Departmental coordination; War Pensions Agency; Veterans Agency; Veterans Forum; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
20 March 2002
Reference
HL 3337; 632 c144-5WA
House
House of Lords
Statement on the progress achieved by the Government's veterans' initiative since it was launched.
Statement on the progress achieved by the Government's veterans' initiative since it was launched.
Asked by
Rudi Vis
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Moonie
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 March 2002
For answer on
18 March 2002
Answered on
18 March 2002
Dr. Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress achieved by the Government's
veterans' initiative since it was launched. [44479]
Dr. Moonie: Since the announcement of the Veterans Initiative, and my appointment as Minister for Veterans Affairs one year ago, we
have made substantial progress towards meeting the objective of the initiative: to build-up a partnership with veterans
organisations and other Government Departments to develop an integrated response to veterans concerns, focused in particular on the
most vulnerable.
I have been considering how we can improve the service offered to our veterans from within my own Department. Capitalising on the
transfer of the War Pensions Agency to the Ministry of Defence in June of last year and on its excellent record for
customer-service, I have decided that the War Pensions Agency should provide a special focus for our support to veterans and that,
accordingly, with effect from 2 April, it should be renamed the Veterans Agency. As a first step towards giving substance to this
change of name, the Veterans Agency will, from the end of this month, provide an integrated website and freephone helpline that will
be the first point of contact for veterans seeking advice and information. For the longer term, we will also be looking at the
future development of the War pensioners Welfare Service, and in particular the possibility of expanding partnerships with the
charitable sector to improve the support delivered in this area by offering a better co-ordinated service.
Working through the Veterans Forum and Ministerial Task Force, we have agreed an action plan and nine working groups, made up
jointly of representatives of the veterans' community and of interested Government Departments to take work forward. These are now
addressing the particular concerns identified within the initiative's core themes of partnership, identity, recognition and care.
This work includes developing new resettlement training for the most vulnerable of our Service leavers who are at greatest risk of
social exclusion, the development of material for the new Key Stage 3 and 4 scheme for citizenship to be part of the National
Curriculum from September 2002; improving communication between Government and veterans, recognition of veterans' achievements in
more recent years, and problems faced by the veterans charities' care homes. The Working Groups will be reporting their progress to
me in time for the next meeting of the Veterans Forum and the Ministerial Task Force in April and May respectively.
We are also taking steps to address two of the particular concerns that veterans have raised about the War Pension Schemes. From
this April, the provisions for war widowers will be equalised to bring them fully into line with those currently available to war
widows. Further, we plan to introduce measures from August that will guarantee that a war pensioner can return to Unemployability
Supplement within the first 12 months of starting work.
I place a particular premium on the partnership that we have been building with the representatives of the Veterans Organisations
and am pleased to acknowledge the considerable part that their positive response has played in enabling us to take this initiative
forward. I look forward to building on this partnership to develop and deliver a significant programme of further improvements for
the future.
Subjects
Care homes; Curriculum; Charities; Armed forces; Cooperation; Bereavement benefits; Education; Social security benefits; War pensions; Widowed people; Departmental coordination; War Pensions Agency; Veterans Agency; Veterans Forum; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
18 March 2002
Reference
44479; 382 c56-7W;382 c54-5W
House
House of Commons
Statement on if he will make a statement on progress on veterans' affairs. (Failed OPQ).
Statement on if he will make a statement on progress on veterans' affairs. (Failed OPQ).
Asked by
Andrew Dismore
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Moonie
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
28 January 2002
For answer on
11 February 2002
Answered on
11 February 2002
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on veterans' affairs. [31919]
Dr. Moonie: Since the announcement of the veterans' initiative and my appointment as Veterans Minister in March of last year, we
have been working closely with representatives of the veterans' community to improve the services we offer them. As an early step,
we transferred the War Pensions Agency to the Ministry of Defence to deliver a more coherent service to war pensioners. We are
committed to maintaining the agency's programme of continuous improvement to the services it provides to its customers, recognised
recently in the award of the UNISYS Management Today Excellence Award. In particular, we are working closely with interested
veterans' organisations to identify areas where we can bring further improvements in service through closer co-operation with their
own activities in support of veterans.
We have also recognised the concern of many veterans and of people more widely that the final resting places of our war dead should
be properly respected. In particular, we have moved to address the desecration of maritime war graves by some divers. We have
designated 16 wrecks in UK waters as controlled sites and five in international waters as protected places. All military vessels
lost in the Falklands conflict will be designated. We have made clear that we will prosecute where we have jurisdiction and are
pressing for greater international protection of such wrecks.
The objective of seeking improvements in the support offered to those who have left the services, through closer partnership with
the veterans' organisations, has been a key theme of the work of the ministerial task force and the forum of veterans'
representatives. There have been two meetings of the Veterans Forum and, as a result, nine working groups have been formed to give
practical expression to the initiative's core themes of partnership, identify recognition and care. These working groups are looking
at improvements in areas such as resettlement of the most vulnerable service-leavers, communication with veterans, and the
educational material available in schools with regard to the achievements of our veterans. The working groups include
representatives from the veterans' organisations, as well as from other interested Government Departments and the devolved
Administrations. Initial meetings have been held to agree the objectives for each working group and they will report back to me on
their progress in time to give an up-date to representatives of the veterans' community at the second Plenary Forum on 17 April
2002.
Subsequently, the Veterans Forum, which includes the executive of the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations
(COBSSEO) and senior officials from across government, is due to consider the progress of the working groups when it meets on 1 May
2002. The ministerial task force will then consider the way forward, taking account of the views expressed by the veterans
community, at our meeting on 15 May and, in July, I will provide a progress report through the Defence Secretary to the Prime
Minister.
Subjects
Armed forces; Health services; Partnerships; War graves; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
11 February 2002
Reference
31919; 380 c3-4W
House
House of Commons
Scottish Grand Committee statement on the veterans initiative (Committee sitting in Westminster).
Scottish Grand Committee statement on the veterans initiative (Committee sitting in Westminster).
Lead member
Lord Moonie
Department
Scotland Office
Type
Ministerial statements
Committee
Scottish Grand Committee
Subjects
Access; Care homes; Armed forces; Health services; Education; Homelessness; Mental health services; Scotland; Social security benefits; Rehabilitation; Standards; Departmental coordination; Information services; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
28 November 2001
Reference
SGC c3-15
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 13th November 2001 at 374 c630W, if he will list the representatives of the veterans community who attended his task force meeting on 6th November.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 13th November 2001 at 374 c630W, if he will list the representatives of the veterans community who attended his task force meeting on 6th November.
Asked by
Desmond Swayne
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Moonie
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 November 2001
For answer on
27 November 2001
Answered on
27 November 2001
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2001, Official Report, column 630W, if
he will list the representatives of the veterans community who attended his task force meeting on 6 November. [16141]
Dr. Moonie: The veterans community was represented at the Task Force meeting on 6 November by Major General (Retired) Nigel Richards
CB, OBE, Chair of the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations (COBSEO) and by Brigadier (Retired) Ian
Townsend, General Secretary of The Royal British Legion (TRBL).
Subjects
Armed forces; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
27 November 2001
Reference
375 c765W; 16141
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 13th November, Official Report, column 630W, if he will publish the terms of reference he has agreed on policy development for veterans' affairs. - Inc fact that the terms of reference have now been published on the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 13th November, Official Report, column 630W, if he will publish the terms of reference he has agreed on policy development for veterans' affairs. - Inc fact that the terms of reference have now been published on the...
Asked by
Desmond Swayne
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Moonie
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 November 2001
For answer on
20 November 2001
Answered on
20 November 2001
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2001, Official Report, column 630W, if
he will publish the terms of reference he has agreed on policy development for veterans' affairs. [15539]
Dr. Moonie: The terms of reference for the task force responsible for the development of our policy on veterans' affairs have now
been published on the Ministry of Defence website "www.mod.uk", together with other information about the initiative. They can be
found under Contacts--Veterans' Advice Unit. The terms of reference are as follows: To ensure that the policies of individual
Government Departments and of devolved administrations are co-ordinated to produce a coherent and integrated response to veterans'
needs and concerns. To identify and prioritise areas of particular need within the veterans' community and develop policies to
address these as appropriate, focusing in particular on the most vulnerable. To improve co-operation between government and
veterans' organisations, seeking to ensure that Government policies address the reasonable concerns of veterans and that the work of
veterans' organisations is supportive of, or at least consistent with, government policies. To ensure that the Government's current
support and future plans for veterans is effectively understood by them. To ensure that the contribution of ex-Service personnel is
appropriately recognised at the national and the individual level within the country.
Subjects
Armed forces; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
20 November 2001
Reference
375 c173-4W; 15539
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement about the Veterans Task Force meeting held on 7th November.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement about the Veterans Task Force meeting held on 7th November.
Asked by
Desmond Swayne
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Moonie
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 November 2001
For answer on
13 November 2001
Answered on
13 November 2001
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Veterans task force meeting held on 7
November. [13766]
Dr. Moonie: At the first meeting of the task force on 6 November, my ministerial colleagues from other Departments with an interest
in veterans issues, representatives from the veterans' community and I agreed terms of reference committing us to making our policy
development and services responsive to the reasonable needs and concerns of veterans. We agreed a vision focusing on the key themes
of partnership, identity, recognition, education and care, and agreed a cross- government action plan to take these themes forward.
This work is being undertaken in partnership with experts from veterans organisations and will include reviews of resettlement for
the most vulnerable of those discharged from the armed forces, of the educational material on veterans and their achievements
provided for Key Stage 3 of the national curriculum and of ways in which we might improve the effectiveness of our communications
with veterans. Ministers also agreed to review their relevant public service agreements to identify those in which there was a
significant and discrete veterans problem that merited action in its own right. Particular areas to be considered were focused on
the most vulnerable and included the levels of service-related problems among the prison population, among marital breakdowns and
among the unemployed. Deadlines have been set for action plan work items, and overall progress with the initiative will be
considered at the next meeting of the task force in May 2002.
I consider that the task force agreements represent substantial progress towards achieving our objective of raising the profile of
veterans' issues in Government and more widely across the nation, and of improving the delivery of benefits to veterans,
particularly the most vulnerable.
Subjects
Armed forces; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
13 November 2001
Reference
374 c630W; 13766
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons responsibility for veterans' affairs has been reduced from Minister of State to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State level.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons responsibility for veterans' affairs has been reduced from Minister of State to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State level.
Asked by
Robert Key
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Moonie
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 March 2001
For answer on
28 March 2001
Answered on
28 March 2001
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons responsibility for veterans affairs has been reduced from
Minister of State to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State level. [155327]
Dr. Moonie: The appointment of a designated Veterans Minister, with responsibility across Government Departments for ensuring that
veterans concerns are understood and addressed in a holistic manner, represents a clear enhancement rather than a reduction in
commitment. This change, together with the establishment of a dedicated Ministerial Task Force, reflects the Government's
determination that veterans issues should be handled in a co-ordinated way to ensure a properly integrated approach to veterans and
their concerns.
Subjects
Departmental responsibilities; Government departments; Ministers; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
28 March 2001
Reference
155327; 365 c621W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the members of the (a) Veterans' Forum and (b) Veterans' Task Force.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the members of the (a) Veterans' Forum and (b) Veterans' Task Force.
Asked by
Robert Key
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Moonie
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 March 2001
For answer on
28 March 2001
Answered on
28 March 2001
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the (a) Veterans Forum and (b) Veterans Task
Force. [155319]
Dr. Moonie: We will not take a final decision on the membership of the Veterans Forum and the Veterans Task Force until their shape,
role and agenda have been discussed in more detail with the range of interested parties, including the main veterans' representative
groups. However, we currently expect the Task Force, under my own Chairmanship to include Ministers from the Department of Health,
the Department of Social Security, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Department for Employment
and Education, as well as the relevant Scottish and Welsh Departments, the Northern Ireland Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department. I will also chair the Veterans Forum which will include members from the major
veterans' representative groups. We will ensure that the smaller representative groups are able to present their views and concerns
to the Forum.
Subjects
Armed forces; Membership; Veterans Forum; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
28 March 2001
Reference
155319; 365 c620-1W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) new money and (b) new manpower his Department has allocated to the handling of veterans' affairs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) new money and (b) new manpower his Department has allocated to the handling of veterans' affairs.
Asked by
Robert Key
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Moonie
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 March 2001
For answer on
28 March 2001
Answered on
28 March 2001
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) new money and (b) new manpower his Department has allocated to the
handling of veterans affairs. [155320]
Dr. Moonie: The Veterans initiative will be supported by three new executive staff, together with the budget and support staff
required for their effective working. We cannot at this stage predict what new measures might come out of the work of the Veterans
Task Force and Forum. We will be commissioning early research into veterans issues and their handling, in addition to that already
planned within current departmental programmes. The funding of new measures will be addressed as they are identified.
Subjects
Finance; Staff; Veterans Task Force; Veterans
Date
28 March 2001
Reference
155320; 365 c621W
House
House of Commons