Minister for Veterans Affairs (): My noble. Friend
the Minister of State in the House of Lords (The ) made the following statement
on 10 November 2025.
Today, this Government is pleased to take another step towards
renewing the nation's contract with those who serve and have
served in the Armed Forces, demonstrating this Government is on
their side. The country's near two million veterans are a
national asset, and our new Veterans Strategy proudly sets the
narrative about them, their service and the role they can play in
our national prosperity.
Veterans not only remind us of the challenges we have overcome,
but they also play a vital role in strengthening the fabric of
our communities. Their contributions enhance the resilience and
effectiveness of our defence, support critical industries, and
bolster the wider economy. Many veterans have benefited from a
military career that provided them with unique skills,
experience, confidence and opportunities that they took forward
into civilian life. For many, a career in the Armed Forces
continues to be a powerful driver of social mobility.
The new Veterans Strategy sets the long-term outcomes the
Government wants veterans to achieve, grounded in three core
themes that challenge the whole of society to think differently
about those who have served in the Armed Forces and their ongoing
potential.
Celebrate: We want society to respect those who
serve and have served. Ensuring the benefits of military service
for individuals are recognised, and their role in defending our
freedoms and society is celebrated.
Contribute: We want to ensure the unique skills,
experience and personal values of veterans are appreciated and
understood, including how they contribute to our national
security, our economy, and our communities.
Support: For the overwhelming majority,
veterans' lives are better for having served. However, some
veterans continue to need access to timely, appropriate and
effective support that meets their needs following service. To
meet this need we've also launched VALOUR which will transform
the way we provide support to veterans who need it.
Together, the themes represent a powerful new approach to
recognising veterans as one of the UK's great assets, aligned in
its approach with the Strategic Defence Review and Plan for
Change, and underpinned by this government's commitment to bring
the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law.
Like the Armed Forces Covenant, this strategy applies equally
across the UK. While its vision, themes and outcomes are a shared
endeavour, effective implementation will vary according to local
needs and context. This strategy recognises the rich and varied
contributions of those who have long supported the Armed Forces
community.
We will work closely with partners in the public, private and
third sector to drive progress against the outcomes, establish a
new governance framework, and continue investment in data and
insights on veterans and their experiences.
As a key element of the Veterans Strategy, this Government is
also taking the next steps in delivering VALOUR, with
applications now open for organisations to bid for funding for
VALOUR recognised centres, backed by £27 million of funding.
This is alongside an extension of the Nuclear Test Medal
eligibility criteria. This Remembrance, we are making the medal
available to even more veterans. Personnel who served on
operations to monitor French atmospheric nuclear tests until
1974, and Chinese tests until 1980 will now be eligible. These
personnel carried out air sampling missions from airfields in
Peru, the USA, the Aleutian Islands, and the Midway Islands near
Hawaii, and conducted monitoring operations at sea
This Government is committed to renewing the nation's contract
with those who serve. The Veterans Strategy will be a critical
step in dedication to honouring and supporting our veterans.
