OPINION: UK Armed Forces 'best in the world', so 'only right we do everything' to support when service ends
The Minister for Social Mobility, Youth & Progression at the Department of Work and Pensions has urged Armed Forces veterans to seek help in transitioning from life in the military in a written opinion piece for Forces News.
Mims Davies, MP for Mid Sussex, said military veterans may be eligible for a number of different support packages that may benefit themselves and their families.
It comes as the Armed Forces Covenant annual report has been released highlighting some of the opportunities and support on offer for military veterans.
Read her full column below:
This week, the Government renewed its pledge to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran by publishing the Armed Forces Covenant annual report.
Whether it be supporting Ukraine in the face of Putin's illegal invasion or leading the world in honouring Queen Elizabeth II, we have been reminded this year more than ever that our Armed Forces community is one of our most prized assets; one that we should do everything we can to support during service and afterwards.
We know our veterans and their families face different barriers to opportunities when making the transition back to civilian life.
Those who leave service with an injury are disadvantaged in the recruitment process, with many roles not naturally considering the employees' specific needs.
Many who have moved away from their home towns, especially those with childcare responsibilities, often find it difficult to find flexible jobs that allow them to further their career and look after their family.
To add to these difficulties, 2022 has been a year of significant global financial uncertainty, causing many in our Armed Forces community to feel the pinch.
That's why the work of my department, to ensure our veterans get the financial support and job opportunities they deserve, has never been more important.
And it is doing just that. We employ a fantastic network of Armed Forces Champions in our Jobcentres, and I am proud that there is now at least one in each Jobcentre Plus district in the UK, many of whom have personal experience of service life and can offer unmatched advice and support for the next career stage.
Our DWP Champions are on the Jobcentre frontline ready to help any member of the Armed Forces community who walks through the door.
They ensure employment advice is catered to the individual's needs post-service and can assist with progressing claims for Universal Credit and other benefits.
It's why this week, with the spotlight on the Armed Forces Covenant, I urge members of the veterans community to engage with their local Jobcentre. With a whole package of support available please do reach out and ask to speak to your local Armed Forces Champion.
As well as help tailored to their and their families' specific needs, they may also be eligible for other support.
This may include our upcoming £900 Cost of Living payments, building on the £650 already delivered that many members of the veterans community will have received.
Our Champions and National Employer and Partnership Team work with a growing number of employers committed to supporting veterans.
They realise and appreciate the many transferable skills, qualifications and incredible work ethic veterans have.
The number of businesses signing up to the Covenant has pleasingly hit an all-time high this year with more than 9,000 having committed their support to backing our Armed Forces community.
With companies such as Ocado, Leeds United Football Club and Knight Frank LLP just some of the employers offering bespoke HR policies for service leavers and their partners or spouses.
Service leavers and their families must not be at a disadvantage when transitioning to civilian life.
So, I'm also urging businesses right across the UK to follow these organisations and continue signing up to the covenant to benefit from the fantastic talent our Armed Forces community has to offer.
Our Armed Forces are the best in the world.
It is only right we do everything we can to support them when they end their service.
On top of the fantastic work our dedicated Armed Forces Champions are doing, and the tailor-made job opportunities unlocked in Jobcentres up and down the country, we will continue to work hard to ensure the UK truly is the best place in the world to be a veteran.
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