Work and Pensions Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey said:
The armed forces do our country proud and we are
forever grateful to them for the sacrifices they make
in order to serve our nation.
The Sun rightly champions the importance of looking
after our heroes and their families – both while they
are serving and once they have left the forces.
This welcome new funding will provide specialist,
individual support to former service personnel and
their families as they take the first steps to find a
job and receive the financial support they are entitled
to, helping them better readjust to civilian life.
Armed Forces Champions deliver employment support and
benefits advice to former servicemen and women, and raise
awareness of particular issues faced by veterans and
their families. There are currently 46 Armed Forces
Champions in the UK.
Many of the jobcentre staff who are Armed Forces
Champions have previously served in the forces and draw
upon their own experiences to help veterans move forward.
, Armed Forces
Champion and Colchester Jobcentre work coach, was in the
army for 30 years before working for DWP.
He said:
It can be a massive culture shock for those leaving the
Armed Forces. Many don’t know what’s hit them. This
funding will ultimately help ensure the right people
are out there providing the right kind of support where
it’s needed, when it’s needed.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury said:
I’ve been honoured to spend time with many veterans and
service personnel, and I’m constantly humbled by their
service. They deserve our support to ensure they never
find themselves out of work and without help.
That’s why we are spending up to £6 million to increase
the number of Armed Forces Champions in our jobcentres.
They’ll be a vital extra help as our former soldiers,
sailors, airmen and women take the first steps into a
new career.
