Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if his Department will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Health Minister on ensuring that veterans in Northern Ireland receive urgent medical care, including accessing medical care in Great Britain, to reduce the time they have to wait for surgery.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Armed Forces Covenant makes clear that veterans should not be disadvantaged as a result of their service, including in the provision of healthcare.
Health is a devolved matter, within the competence of the Northern Ireland Executive. The NI Health Minister, Robin Swann, is therefore responsible for issues relating to the health of all citizens in Northern Ireland, including veterans.
The New Decade, New Approach deal committed to the establishment of a Veteran’s Commissioner in Northern Ireland and I recently met with the new Commissioner, Danny Kinahan. We are keen to support him in his important work.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I will continue to engage with veterans’ support networks in Northern Ireland, the Office of Veterans’ Affairs and the NI Department of Health on matters pertaining to veterans’ welfare.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that Combat Stress is adequately funded for its work in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Charity Combat Stress received one of 102 grants, totalling £6million, issued under the Covid Impact Fund. They received £250,000 to enable them to accelerate the UK-wide delivery of a digital veterans' mental health service.
The Government recognises the vital role charities play in supporting veterans' mental health. In the 2018 Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer awarded £10 million to support projects that will improve the mental health and wellbeing of veterans.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans the Government has to bring forward legislative proposals to address the legacy of the Troubles and protect veterans who served in the armed forces in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government has been clear that it will bring forward legislation to address the legacy of the Troubles that focuses on reconciliation, delivers for victims, and ends the cycle of investigations, which is not working for anyone.
We are determined to deliver on our commitments to veterans who served in Northern Ireland, and provide a fair, balanced, and proportionate system for all those who have been affected by the events of the past.
Despite the challenging circumstances caused by the ongoing Covid-19 situation, we will continue to seek to make progress on this as quickly as possible, working with all parts of the community in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
What steps she is taking with all communities in Northern Ireland to resolve legacy issues in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
On 11 May 2018, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland launched the public consultation, ‘Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland’s Past’. The consultation provides everyone who has an interest with the opportunity to see the proposed way forward and contribute to the discussion on the issues.
There has been extensive stakeholder engagement and following calls for additional time, the Secretary of State has decided to extend the closing date from 10 September to 5 October.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what levels of apprenticeships are offered by her Department; and how many apprenticeship starts there were at each level in each of the last three years.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
I can advise that the Northern Ireland Office has offered apprenticeships at Levels three and four.
During 2015/16, one apprentice started at Level 3.
During 2016/17, no apprentices started.
During 2017/18, three apprentices started - two at Level 3 and one at Level 4.