Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has considered introducing (a) automatic awards and (b) simplified applications for people with confirmed records of dismissal for homosexuality; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on levels of bureaucracy for (i) elderly and (ii) unwell veterans.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
As of 9 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) had received 1,067 applications and 44 Veterans had received payments. We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved. We envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are delt with.
It is important to note that due to the individual nature of each case, we do not collect data on the average time between application and payment; this metric would not provide any meaningful insight into processing times, as it will vary considerably according to the specific circumstances of each Veteran’s application.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting LGBT Veterans who may face reliving traumatic experiences during the FRS impact statement process. Assistance is available to Veterans via our partner charities, Royal British Legion and Fighting with Pride. Additional support is also available from the Veterans Welfare Service. Contact details can be found on the FRS’s gov.uk page: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-of-the-lgbt-ban-financial-recognition-scheme/lgbt-financial-recognition-scheme-guide-how-to-apply-for-a-financial-recognition-payment
The FRS does not have an automated award system in place. To fairly assess if an application meets the eligibility criteria, applications must be processed fully in accordance with the Scheme Rules.
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is providing psychological support to LGBT veterans who are asked to relive traumatic experiences as part of the impact statement process for financial reparations.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
As of 9 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) had received 1,067 applications and 44 Veterans had received payments. We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved. We envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are delt with.
It is important to note that due to the individual nature of each case, we do not collect data on the average time between application and payment; this metric would not provide any meaningful insight into processing times, as it will vary considerably according to the specific circumstances of each Veteran’s application.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting LGBT Veterans who may face reliving traumatic experiences during the FRS impact statement process. Assistance is available to Veterans via our partner charities, Royal British Legion and Fighting with Pride. Additional support is also available from the Veterans Welfare Service. Contact details can be found on the FRS’s gov.uk page: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-of-the-lgbt-ban-financial-recognition-scheme/lgbt-financial-recognition-scheme-guide-how-to-apply-for-a-financial-recognition-payment
The FRS does not have an automated award system in place. To fairly assess if an application meets the eligibility criteria, applications must be processed fully in accordance with the Scheme Rules.
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average time is between application and payment under LGBT Veterans Independent Review reparation schemes.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
As of 9 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) had received 1,067 applications and 44 Veterans had received payments. We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved. We envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are delt with.
It is important to note that due to the individual nature of each case, we do not collect data on the average time between application and payment; this metric would not provide any meaningful insight into processing times, as it will vary considerably according to the specific circumstances of each Veteran’s application.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting LGBT Veterans who may face reliving traumatic experiences during the FRS impact statement process. Assistance is available to Veterans via our partner charities, Royal British Legion and Fighting with Pride. Additional support is also available from the Veterans Welfare Service. Contact details can be found on the FRS’s gov.uk page: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-of-the-lgbt-ban-financial-recognition-scheme/lgbt-financial-recognition-scheme-guide-how-to-apply-for-a-financial-recognition-payment
The FRS does not have an automated award system in place. To fairly assess if an application meets the eligibility criteria, applications must be processed fully in accordance with the Scheme Rules.
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of mentoring schemes for service personnel transitioning out of the armed forces in South East Cornwall constituency.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Service personnel transitioning out of the military are entitled to support, including for two years post discharge, through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), delivered by Reed in Partnership since 1 October 2024. Under this contract, 94.3% of Service leavers who choose to transition to a new career have achieved that goal within six months of discharge.
Service leavers benefit from individual tailored programmes of support, dedicated expert consultancy and specialist advice, and an enhanced digital platform that provides greater and more flexible access to assistance regardless of where they are serving or where they choose to relocate. The CTP work with a supply chain of expert providers to ensure a holistic approach to resettlement, including the option of mentoring for those choosing to start their own business.
Within the South East Cornwall constituency, CTP hosted a successful regional Employment Fair at Home Park in Plymouth on 14 May 2025 which attracted over 200 Service personnel and 40 local and national employers, charities, and veteran groups. This event will now be held annually.
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve the specialist support available to bereaved military families.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Defence provides active and comprehensive support to the families of those Service personnel who die in Service. We take a holistic, multi-agency approach to supporting the bereaved with assistance provided through the single Services, the Defence Bereaved Families Group (DBFG) and Veterans Services.
Defence has recently undertaken several initiatives to improve this support including working to ensure that the bereaved community are clearly recognised and referenced as distinctly separate to any other cohort, through changes to official communication and language.
Additionally, the Purple Book (a guide that supports those responsible for handling the affairs and arrangements following a Service persons death) has recently undergone a full review following stakeholder engagement and consultation with representatives of bereaved families, to ensure its content was appropriate, accurate and informative; this was subsequently endorsed by the DBFG.
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure access to specialist support through partnerships with (a) SSAFA and (b) other organisations for military families with (i) adults and (ii) children with additional needs.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence acknowledges the challenges faced by Armed Forces families with dependants who have additional needs or disabilities. That is why we have committed to put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law. Defence also continues to work with various organisations like SSAFA and Carers UK to enhance support for these families through partnerships and shared experiences. Our collaboration extends to cross-Government efforts to improve support for Service families, focusing on areas like Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase support for veterans entering civilian life in South East Cornwall constituency.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country, no matter which community they are based in. I am working across Government and with civil society to ensure veterans, including those in the South East Cornwall constituency, have access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need.
In England, Op RESTORE provides specialist care to veterans who have physical health problems, and Op COURAGE, a mental health specialist service helps veterans and their families. Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway to connect veterans with help and support. Veterans can also access a range of tailored employment support, including the Career Transition Partnership, the initial point of provision for those leaving military Service in search of new job opportunities, and Op ASCEND, the employment pathway for veterans.
We recently announced VALOUR, a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support, to ensure easier access to essential care and support for veterans across the UK. This regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR support centres, together with regional field officers, will ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities.
Further details on VALOUR will be announced in due course and more information can be found at the following link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the assessment process for veterans for the unemployment supplement; and what steps he is planning to take to ensure veterans with service-related disabilities are not disadvantaged by the replacement of the work capability assessment.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Unemployability Supplement is one of the supplementary allowances paid under the War Pension Scheme which is assessed and administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Where equivalent benefits provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are considered to overlap, in line with longstanding public policy, assessments ensure an individual would not be compensated twice for any single injury or condition.
The MOD and DWP continue to collaborate closely to ensure that any proposed changes to respective schemes and benefits are communicated and considered.
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support veterans to mentor young people in (a) conservation, (b) rural training initiatives and (c) general.
Answered by Maria Eagle
This Government is determined to ensure that the value veterans bring to civil society and UK businesses across all sectors is fully recognised, and that industries make the most of the talents they have to offer. This includes the opportunity for veterans to share the experiences, and the skills developed throughout their Armed Forces service, with young people.
The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the Ministry of Defence's official resettlement programme and provides employment advice and support for those leaving military service, during the 'transition' phase, up to two years before and after leaving service. CTP also supports employers looking to recruit Armed Forces Service leavers into their organisations.
We have recently expanded the employment support available for veterans under Op ASCEND, which is run by the Forces Employment Charity. This service will align more closely with CTP and will provide access to specialised pathways for veterans and their families into nationally significant sectors of societal and economic value.
The Great Place to Work for Veterans Scheme encourages and supports veterans seeking opportunities within the Civil Service, including in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. All civil service employees, including veterans, have access to a broad learning and development offer and mentoring initiatives.