- MOD and OVA jointly launch a review into a range of welfare
services, including those under the banner of Veterans UK.
- The review will examine the effectiveness and efficiency of
welfare services and make recommendations for improvement.
- Review commissioned following multiple changes and advances
in veterans’ care over the last decade.
A major review into the veteran welfare services for veterans has
been announced today by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the
Ministry of Defence
The review will focus on examining the effectiveness and
efficiency of the range of welfare services for veterans and
identify any duplication, or gaps in support.
With the creation of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the
developments and changes that have been brought about in
veterans’ care in the last ten years, it’s important that we
examine the current support systems in place to make sure there
is clarity in the scope and capacity of current services.
Support which is being looked at includes services such as the
Veterans Welfare Service, which comes under the banner of
Veterans UK. It provides one-to-one support to veterans and their
families through a network of welfare managers across the UK. The
Defence Transition Service, which supports military personnel as
they move into civilian life, is also part of the review.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs said:
We recognise that supporting veterans to access appropriate
support is critical to this government’s success in making the UK
the best country in the world to be a veteran.
This review will enable us to better align the workings of a
range of support services, with the needs of the veterans
community, and enhance the quality of the services veterans are
offered.
Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families said:
We are eternally grateful for the service of all our veterans
it’s only right that we provide them with the support they
deserve. This is why I and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
have called for a review into the welfare provisions for
veterans.
This is in no way a reflection of the efforts of every one of our
fantastic teams, who are working so hard to provide enduring
support, but part of our ongoing commitment to improving our
offer for our serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Other services which are part of the review include:
- Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans
- The Northern Ireland Veterans Support Office
- The Veterans’ Gateway
- The Veterans Advisory Pensions Committees
- Ilford Park Polish Home
The work will complement the Quinquennial Review of the Armed
Forces Compensation Scheme, which is already underway.
The joint OVA and MOD review will be conducted by an independent
civil servant, who will be supported by a joint secretariat from
the MOD and Cabinet Office. The review will focus on examining
each organisation’s performance and practices, identifying areas
for improvement and enhancing efficiency.
Engaging extensively with stakeholders, including other
government departments, the charity sector and independent
veterans advisors will be an important part of the work.
The review is expected to take three months, and will report back
to the Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service
Families, and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, with
recommendations for the future role of welfare support and
provision of services. Following the completion of the review,
MOD and OVA will develop an action plan to address the findings
and recommendations, with a focus on implementing meaningful
change that will enhance service effectiveness and delivery.
April 2023 update
An interdepartmental team, led by a senior civil servant, has now
been appointed to lead the Independent Review of UK Government
Welfare Services for Veterans. The review was announced on 2
March 2023: read the
statement in full.
The team will work closely with David Richmond, the Independent
Veterans’ Advisor, and other key stakeholders. The review is
expected to last three months.
Independent Review of UK
Government Welfare Services for Veterans - Terms of
Reference (ODT, 9.37 KB)
