Oral Answers to Questions

John Lamont Excerpts

Monday 7th February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Dr Coffey]

I do not think we have undertaken that assessment. Of course, a benefit of being part of the United Kingdom is the subsequent extra money per head that is given through the Barnett formula, and the Scottish Government can decide what to do with that. I am sure they will be carefully costing their independence things, or that sort of financial support will simply not be there.

[John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)]

6. What progress is being made by the work of armed forces champions in jobcentres.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

10. What progress is being made by the work of armed forces champions in jobcentres.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mims Davies)]

In April 2021, we updated the offer in our jobcentres, boosting our network of armed forces champions to 50, supported by 11 area leads. They are focused on providing key support to our veterans and other members of the armed forces community to ensure that their talents and abilities are recognised and that they can move quickly on to their next step. I saw that in action on Thursday at the military careers fair in Aldershot with the Veterans Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Leo Docherty).

[John Lamont]

As the Minister will know, our veterans have particular skills and needs. Can she confirm that veterans in my constituency in the Scottish Borders, whether they attend a jobcentre in Hawick, Galashiels or Eyemouth, will be able to access the support offered by their district armed forces champion?

[Mims Davies]

Yes, I can confirm that they will. The great work that is being done by our DWP armed forces champions in my hon. Friend’s constituency is playing out, for example, in how the local champion from High Riggs jobcentre has already been working with the local council to secure bus passes for veterans, alongside providing veterans with direct employment support.