Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help provide extra financial support for veterans with higher energy needs due to injuries and disabilities.

In addition to rising goods and energy prices, inflation and cost of living pressures after the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, disabled people often have additional costs arising from extra heating, water, personal care and special equipment. That is why the Government is providing specific support for disabled people this autumn through the Disability Cost of Living payment.

Veterans are civilians and are entitled to the same cost of living support offered by the National, Local, and Devolved Governments wherever they reside, in common with the general population. This includes the Energy Price Guarantee, Cost of Living payments, and Council Tax rebate as applicable to their location and personal circumstances. In addition, officials at Veterans UK have processed Disability Cost of Living payment for eligible veterans whose only government-paid income is from a War Disablement Pension. Veterans may also receive financial support targeted at them as a distinct group from their Regimental Associations or Service Benevolent Funds, and additional support is also available from the wider Armed Forces charitable sector.

Through its Veterans’ Welfare Service, Veterans UK provides one-to-one welfare support and advice to veterans or anyone supporting a veteran, their families and dependants. Any veteran struggling with their finances should contact Veterans UK in the first instance, who can then advise on appropriate avenues of support: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk