Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support is available for veterans transitioning out of the armed forces in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country, no matter which community they are based in. I am working across Government and with civil society to ensure veterans, including those in Fylde and Lancashire, have access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need.

For most Service Leavers, the successful transition into employment is the foundation of positive life outcomes. Consequently, as part of their resettlement process, all Regular Service Leavers are entitled to support and receive regular check in calls from the Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP). The CTP provides support through a range of career and employment support services, including skills development workshops, seminars, resettlement training advice, vocational training courses, and career consultancy. This has recently been changed to be an opt-out service, increasing attendance of Service Leavers.

I recently announced VALOUR, a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. This will ensure easier access to essential care and support for veterans across the UK. This regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR support centres, together with regional field officers, will ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of local communities. Please raise awareness of VALOUR and encourage organisations to sign up for updates here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps.

In England Op RESTORE provides specialist care to veterans who have physical health problems, and Op COURAGE, a mental health specialist service helps veterans and their families. Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway to connect veterans with help and support. Veterans can also access a range of tailored employment support, including the CTP and Op ASCEND, the employment pathway for veterans.

I would also like to take the opportunity to highlight the Defence Transition Services (DTS) and the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS), which provide additional support to Service Leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, irrespective of their reason for discharge. In your constituency, VWS have a Regional Welfare Centre based in Blackpool (Norcross).