Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people accepted under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy remain in Afghanistan as of 28 June 2022.
Answered by James Heappey
As of 29 June 2022, we are aware of approximately 650 ARAP eligible principals who last reported their location as Afghanistan to the Ministry of Defence. It is not always possible to know whether all eligible persons are still in the country as some may be out of contact or have moved independently to a safe country.
Neighbouring countries are discouraging movement of Afghans without passports and visas. Whilst we have arrangements for moving people that are operationally sensitive, this can only be achieved at a rate that partners are content to support. The UK government continues to bring people out at the best pace possible.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what steps his Department has taken to use 2011 census classifications, including on Gypsies and Travellers, to audit racial disparities in public service outcomes.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Damian Green) on 11 July 2017 to Question 3079.
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2017-07-05/3079/
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to implement the family test.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Family Test was announced by the Prime Minister in August 2014 and introduced in October 2014. The Department for Work and Pensions published guidance for Departments and officials on how the test should be applied when formulating policy and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) follows that guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/368894/family-test-guidance.pdf
The Family Test is an integral part of the policy making process and is applied in a proportionate way in the development of all new policy in line with the Family Test guidance. While the guidance states that Departments should consider publishing assessments carried out under the Test, there is no requirement to do so.
Over the last five years the MOD has significantly increased the support provided to the families of Service personnel. For details of these I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 June 2015 to Question 1192 to the hon. Member for Enfield Southgate (Mr Burrowes): http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-06-04/1192/
Since I provided that answer I was delighted to announce to the Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO) Annual General Meeting on 30 September our plans for the first UK Armed Forces Families Strategy, the aim of which is to provide a clearer focus for our efforts to understand, value and empower the families of our Armed Forces personnel. This Strategy will build on the successes outlined in my answer by addressing inconsistencies and incoherence in MOD policies and by improving our communications to Armed Forces families.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of his Department's policies have been assessed against the family test; what steps he has taken to publish the outcome of such assessments that have been carried out; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Family Test was announced by the Prime Minister in August 2014 and introduced in October 2014. The Department for Work and Pensions published guidance for Departments and officials on how the test should be applied when formulating policy and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) follows that guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/368894/family-test-guidance.pdf
The Family Test is an integral part of the policy making process and is applied in a proportionate way in the development of all new policy in line with the Family Test guidance. While the guidance states that Departments should consider publishing assessments carried out under the Test, there is no requirement to do so.
Over the last five years the MOD has significantly increased the support provided to the families of Service personnel. For details of these I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 June 2015 to Question 1192 to the hon. Member for Enfield Southgate (Mr Burrowes): http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-06-04/1192/
Since I provided that answer I was delighted to announce to the Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO) Annual General Meeting on 30 September our plans for the first UK Armed Forces Families Strategy, the aim of which is to provide a clearer focus for our efforts to understand, value and empower the families of our Armed Forces personnel. This Strategy will build on the successes outlined in my answer by addressing inconsistencies and incoherence in MOD policies and by improving our communications to Armed Forces families.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what retraining his Department provides to reservists who are discharged as a result of injury sustained during training or mobilisation and are unable to resume their civilian occupation as a result.
Answered by Julian Brazier
Reservists who are medically discharged as a result of injuries sustained during mobilisation, including pre-deployment training, are entitled to the same transition support as a Regular Service person. This includes the optimum range of resettlement provision, regardless of how long they served and their reasons for becoming medically discharged. The Recovery Careers Services (RCS) is a charity led organisation specifically designed to provide an assisted resettlement route into employment for those medically discharged. The RCS works within the Career Transition Partnership family, which is the Ministry Of Defence's portal for connecting industry with personnel who leave the Armed Forces. RCS deliver an individualised, needs-based service to those Service personnel who require extra assistance, and provides additional support to those with the greatest barriers to employment due to the nature of their medical condition. All Reservists can also make use of Standard Learning Credits to fund small scale training.
For those most seriously injured who may be unable to work again after service, there is provision within the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for lifetime financial support and security. This applies to those injured whilst mobilised or on training.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department provides to reserve military personnel forced to leave military service as a result of injury sustained in the course of duty.
Answered by Anna Soubry
The provision of healthcare for veterans in the UK is the responsibility of NHS(England) and the Devolved Administrations. For NHS(England) this is the responsibility of individual GP-led Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). The comprehensive services CCGs commission reflect local priorities and the aspirations of the Armed Forces Covenant.
When mobilised, a Reservist has the same entitlement to healthcare provided by Defence Medical Services as a Regular Service person. The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Programme provides rehabilitation for injured or ill personnel, including Reservists mobilised for operations. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is extending rehabilitation services to Reservists injured during training; which will facilitate their return to fitness.
The MOD also provides War Disablement Pensions under the War Pensions Scheme if Reservists are no longer serving in HM Armed Forces and their disablement arose before 6 April 2005. The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme provides compensation for any injury, illness or death which is caused by service on or after 6 April 2005.
Help and advice is available to all veterans, including Reserves, from Veterans UK (formerly the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency). Information about how to claim a war pension or AFCS is available from Veterans UK at www.veterans.uk.info, or email veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk or free helpline 0808 1914 2 18. Veterans UK can signpost individuals to other sources of assistance including the Veteran's Welfare Service, which provides dedicated welfare support to veterans (including Reserves), their families, and dependants.