"Identifying veterans has always been a challenge for councils and we are pleased that today’s strategy recognises the need to collect more information about the number of veterans in our communities. This will help councils better plan their local services."
Responding to the Government’s ‘Strategy for our veterans’ published today, Lord Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:
“All councils have signed the voluntary Armed Forces Covenant and are committed to honouring their obligations to those who have served their country. They work with partners to provide a range of services that help veterans and their families adjust from the Armed Forces to civilian life, including housing, money advice, employment support and health and wellbeing services.
“Identifying veterans has always been a challenge for councils and we are pleased that today’s strategy recognises the need to collect more information about the number of veterans in our communities. This will help councils better plan their local services.
“Additional funding announced in the Budget for the mental health of veterans will help to ensure that veterans in need of mental health support can access timely, effective and integrated services. This funding needs to be made available to veterans through councils who want to work with armed forces charities, health and other local partners to further strengthen mental health support for veterans and ensure it links to wider mental health activity.
“It is a concern that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Covenant funding for councils is coming to an end from March 2019. The Government needs to continue this funding if councils are to maintain and build on the current level of support for veterans and other people in vulnerable circumstances.”