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 on
15 November 2023
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:
- The Confederation of Service Charities
- SSAFA
- The Royal British Legion
- Royal Air Force Association
- Royal Marines Association
- Help for Heroes
- Blesma
- Combat Stress
- Forces In Mind Trust
- Defence Medical Welfare Services
- RAF Benevolent Fund