Continued............

What’s been done so far?

The 40 new measures introduced in the Command Paper will address some of the unique demands of Service life. In practice, this means that Government Departments and the Devolved Administrations of Scotland and Wales will take account of the impact on the Armed Forces community when making policy or legislative changes - and we shall be holding them to that promise.

In December 2008, we doubled the up front lump sum payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) for those Service personnel most seriously injured in service to £570,000. Together with the index linked, tax-free annual Guaranteed Income Payment, this means that the maximum total compensation will be in excess of £1.5Million. These increases will be paid out to all those who have made claims since the start of the scheme in 2005. A disregard of AFCS payments from the Disabled Facilities Grant will also be introduced in England and Wales by the end of the year. On affordable housing, we have already extended Key Worker Living status to those leaving the Services for up to 12 months after discharge (currently applies only in England).

For those seeking social housing, the bar on establishing a local connection within the military has been removed and an additional priority for those seriously injured established. On healthcare, the sixth mental health pilot for veterans has now opened in Edinburgh. We are also continuing to raise awareness with healthcare professionals about veterans’ entitlement to priority treatment.

Are there any key messages that you would like to share with the readership?

There are some things that the Government cannot do for our Armed Forces, that’s why the role of charities and ex-Service organisations is so important - without you we couldn’t offer the care our Armed Forces, past, present and future deserve. Ultimately, we should not underestimate the importance of the general public’s support in reinforcing our Armed Forces sense of purpose. I would like your entire readership to keep publicising what the Armed Forces and veterans, of all ages, have done and continue to do for our society.