Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the VALOUR scheme will become available to all veterans.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
VALOUR is a new programme that will give all veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support that is available to them, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the Ministry of Defence. It will improve the coordination of services at a national, regional and local level to ensure that veterans receive the support they need.
The programme will start supporting veterans in 2026.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the backlog of claims under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is committed to improving performance and reducing delays in processing claims under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). To achieve this, the Department has introduced several targeted measures:
Flexible resource management: Teams are now able to flex resources, and staff are being trained to be multi-skilled, maximising efficiency and building greater resilience.
Accelerated processing: Overtime and weekend working have been implemented to speed up the reduction of outstanding claims.
Increased capacity: Additional administrative and caseworker staff have been recruited to further boost processing capability.
At every stage of the AFCS process, claims from the terminally ill are given priority. In addition, the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) remains available to all veterans, Service personnel, and their families, offering dedicated assistance and support.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to review the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is independently reviewed every five years through the Quinquennial Review (QQR) to ensure it remains fit for purpose. The most recent QQR report was published in July 2023, with the previous Government's response issued in March 2024. Implementation of the accepted recommendations is currently underway.
The Independent Medical Expert Group advises Ministers on medical and scientific aspects of the AFCS and related matters and also ensures the AFCS remains current with latest research and changing circumstances.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to recognise the service of people killed in the Battle of Arnhem.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The war dead of the Battle of Arnhem are commemorated in perpetuity, predominantly at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, which is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Over 1,700 casualties of the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden are buried there, with over 240 being unidentified. The majority of those commemorated at Arnhem Oosterbeek are British servicemen, but the cemetery also contains Polish, Dutch and German casualties from the Battle of Arnhem.
To this day, visiting veterans of the battle are greeted by crowds of appreciative Arnhem citizens who attend annual ceremonies, showing their gratitude for the efforts made by the Allies to liberate their city. Additionally, just under 40 CWGC World War Two graves are located in Arnhem (Moscowa) General Cemetery, which is Arnhem’s civilian cemetery. A single burial also lies in Arnhem Jewish Cemetery.
The 80th anniversary of Operation MARKET GARDEN was commemorated last year, with a number of events attended by senior representatives from across Defence and Government, including the Minister for the Armed Forces in the House of Lords (Lord Coaker), the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories (Stephen Doughty MP), and senior military representatives. This year, like every other year, we commemorate all who have served and their sacrifice as part of the national act of remembrance.