Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the total expenditure on his Department's digital transformation programme.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
As stated in Footnote 14 of the National Audit Office’s report entitled ‘The Digital Strategy for Defence: A review of early implementation’, Defence will spend £1.360 billion on digital transformation in the period financial years 2022-23 to 2031-32.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans were consulted as part of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Quinquennial Review 2022-23.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) compensates for any injury, illness or death which was caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. Both currently Serving personnel and veterans are eligible to apply.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that the AFCS delivers for those who make a claim and there are mechanisms of assessment and accountability in place to ensure that this is the case. The AFCS Quinquennial Review (QQR) takes place every five years to ensure the AFCS remains fit for purpose and to identify opportunities for improvement. The full report can be found at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/quinquennial-review-of-the-armed-forces-compensation-scheme-2023-headline-findings-and-progress-report
Annex B of the AFCS QQR report sets out a list of stakeholder organisations, groups and individuals consulted. There were a total of 105 respondents, including eight AFCS recipients as well as representatives from charities such as Blesma, COBSEO and the Royal British Legion amongst others.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what data his Department holds on the number of veterans who attended each focus group that contributed to the independent review of UK Government welfare services for veterans.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
As part of the Independent Review of UK Veterans Welfare Services, the Review team held various focus groups with veterans and charities. These events were run online and through in-person visits accompanied by the relevant Veterans Commissioner. Groups were small to maximise engagement and due to the tight timeframes within which to set up the events.
In-person events were held in Brecon, Edinburgh, Belfast, Salisbury and at the Ilford Park Polish Home in Devon. Numbers for each visit varied and ranged from between 15 to 30 people, giving a total of around 100. To maintain confidentiality, specific details of each veteran attending was not captured, and therefore the Ministry of Defence does not hold precise numbers of veterans who attended each group.
Written and/or verbal input was received from 11 charities:
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many charities submitted written responses to the independent review of UK Government welfare services for veterans.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
As part of the Independent Review of UK Veterans Welfare Services, the Review team held various focus groups with veterans and charities. These events were run online and through in-person visits accompanied by the relevant Veterans Commissioner. Groups were small to maximise engagement and due to the tight timeframes within which to set up the events.
In-person events were held in Brecon, Edinburgh, Belfast, Salisbury and at the Ilford Park Polish Home in Devon. Numbers for each visit varied and ranged from between 15 to 30 people, giving a total of around 100. To maintain confidentiality, specific details of each veteran attending was not captured, and therefore the Ministry of Defence does not hold precise numbers of veterans who attended each group.
Written and/or verbal input was received from 11 charities:
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which charities submitted written responses to the independent review of UK Government welfare services for veterans.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
As part of the Independent Review of UK Veterans Welfare Services, the Review team held various focus groups with veterans and charities. These events were run online and through in-person visits accompanied by the relevant Veterans Commissioner. Groups were small to maximise engagement and due to the tight timeframes within which to set up the events.
In-person events were held in Brecon, Edinburgh, Belfast, Salisbury and at the Ilford Park Polish Home in Devon. Numbers for each visit varied and ranged from between 15 to 30 people, giving a total of around 100. To maintain confidentiality, specific details of each veteran attending was not captured, and therefore the Ministry of Defence does not hold precise numbers of veterans who attended each group.
Written and/or verbal input was received from 11 charities:
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the focus groups for the independent review of UK Government welfare services for veterans were held.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
As part of the Independent Review of UK Veterans Welfare Services, the Review team held various focus groups with veterans and charities. These events were run online and through in-person visits accompanied by the relevant Veterans Commissioner. Groups were small to maximise engagement and due to the tight timeframes within which to set up the events.
In-person events were held in Brecon, Edinburgh, Belfast, Salisbury and at the Ilford Park Polish Home in Devon. Numbers for each visit varied and ranged from between 15 to 30 people, giving a total of around 100. To maintain confidentiality, specific details of each veteran attending was not captured, and therefore the Ministry of Defence does not hold precise numbers of veterans who attended each group.
Written and/or verbal input was received from 11 charities:
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) veterans and (b) family members of veterans have received the Nuclear Test Medal.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
As at 8 November 2023, 1,684 Nuclear Test Medals had been dispatched to veterans, and 14 to next of kin.
Of the cases assessed, a further 33 veterans are eligible for the Nuclear Test Medal, and 699 next of kin.
There are currently 439 veteran and 648 next of kin cases still to be assessed. Initial priority was given to veterans who had applied prior to 18 September 2023, with applications from those over 90 and/or the terminally ill reviewed first.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) veterans and (b) family members of veterans are eligible for the Nuclear Test Medal.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
As at 8 November 2023, 1,684 Nuclear Test Medals had been dispatched to veterans, and 14 to next of kin.
Of the cases assessed, a further 33 veterans are eligible for the Nuclear Test Medal, and 699 next of kin.
There are currently 439 veteran and 648 next of kin cases still to be assessed. Initial priority was given to veterans who had applied prior to 18 September 2023, with applications from those over 90 and/or the terminally ill reviewed first.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans have received their Veteran ID card in each local authority area under the Veterans' Recognition Scheme as of 1 November 2023.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's questions. I will write to her when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.
Asked by: Rachel Hopkins (Labour - Luton South and South Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans have received their Veteran ID card under the Veteran's Recognition Scheme as of 1 November 2023.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's questions. I will write to her when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.