Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the value was of enhanced learning credits that expired in the 2022-23 financial year.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence’s Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) Scheme promotes lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. The scheme provides financial support in each of a maximum of three separate Financial Years (FY) for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the Recognised Qualification Framework or, if pursued overseas, an approved international equivalent qualification with an approved learning provider.

A total of 27,543 ELC registered Service personnel reached their Scheme expiry date in FY 2022-23. Out of this number, 2,741 fully utilised their entitlement. The requested information on the value of expired ELC credits is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost; eligibility for lower and higher tier awards varies by time in service, and personnel may choose to use some (or none) of their three possible claims, and/or not claim their full entitlement.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department keeps a list of (a) approved and (b) unapproved (i) courses and (ii) subjects for Standard Learning Credits for (A) serving members of the armed forces and (B) veterans.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Standard Learning Credits (SLC) Scheme provides financial support throughout a Service persons’ career to enhance their educational and vocational achievements in service. It allows for multiple, small-scale learning purposes and courses that have been approved by their Line Manager and discussed with Education Staff as part of a Service persons’ Personal Development Plan. Veterans are not eligible for the SLC scheme unless specific criteria are met, as outlined in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 534 – Tri Service Resettlement and Employment Support Manual.

The Ministry of Defence does not maintain a list of individual courses eligible for SLCs. Instead, Defence has criteria which a course must meet in order to be eligible for a Service person to use SLCs on. This is set out in JSP 882, Section 2.3 Eligibility to Claim: https://www.enhancedlearningcredits.com/uploads/documents/jsp_822_-_vol_9_-_elective_education_-_v5_-_sept_2022.pdf

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress his Department has made on supporting education and reskilling opportunities for former service personnel in Newport West.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

This information is not held centrally.

Ensuring veterans enter appropriate post service employment is a top priority for this Government.

Eligible Service personnel and veterans can access three schemes: Standard Learning Credit, Enhanced Learning Credit and Publicly Funded Further and Higher Education schemes, which can help individuals pursue their personal and professional development through education. These schemes are available both during their Service and, for two of the schemes, for between five and ten years after discharge, based on the circumstances of departure.

The next iteration of the Veteran Strategy Action Plan will outline the next steps that this Government will take, including on education and reskilling, to deliver its ambition of making this country the best place in the world to be a veteran.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

What progress his Department has made on supporting education and reskilling opportunities for former service personnel.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) promotes lifelong learning.

Eligible Service personnel and veterans can access three schemes which can help individuals pursue their personal and professional development through education, both during their Service and, for two of the schemes, up to ten years after discharge.

In 2019, the MOD introduced Holistic Transition support, building on the highly successful Career Transition Partnership, which has provided employment support and job finding services for the last 20 years.

Found: The NHS delivers all primary care and secon dary care to veterans.

Found: University of Liverpool is currently underway to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans

Found: University of Liverpool is currently underway to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans

Found: University of Liverpool is currently underway to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans

Found: University of Liverpool is currently underway to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans