Labour is today urging Ministers to re-open the
Government's dedicated Veterans UK Helpline, which has been
closed, while other vital Government support on pensions and
compensation payments has also been scaled back.
While the country has been inspired by the efforts of 99
year-old veteran, Captain Tom Moore, thousands of other veterans
around the country will be in need of extra support at this
difficult time.
Government figures reveal there are 126,000 veterans who,
like Captain Tom, are living in Britain in their 90s.
However, Ministers have taken the decision to close the
Veterans UK Helpline, as well as suspending postal enquiries,
with veterans directed to a Ministry of Defence email address
instead. Alongside this, support for some pension and
compensation claims or enquiries has been halted.
Labour is urging the Government to safely re-open the
Veterans UK Helpline service, to allow elderly and vulnerable
veterans the support they need during the coronavirus
crisis.
MP, Labour's Shadow
Defence Secretary, said:
"Ministers are letting veterans down by closing this vital
helpline at a time when thousands of former service personnel
will need extra support.
"The country has been awed by the fantastic efforts of
Captain Tom, but for many elderly veterans this will be a time of
huge uncertainty and anxiety.
"Ministers should immediately start to safely re-open the
Veterans UK Helpline, so those who need it can get the support
they deserve."
, Labour's Shadow
Minister for Veterans, said:
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for us and it is only
right that they continue to be supported after they leave the
service.
“Many businesses and other organisations are rearranging
how they work to continue to provide support, so there is no
reason why the Ministry of Defence can’t do the same.
“Our veterans need support, and the Government has a duty
of care to continue to provide that, at this uncertain
time.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
The Government has taken the decision to close the Veterans
UK Helpline, and suspend other vital support for former service
personnel: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-changes-to-veterans-uk-services
The Royal British Legion has confirmed the changes "may
result in some veterans or their families struggling to access
information or support they’re looking for"
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/veterans-left-in-need-as-mod-cuts-helpline-rkbrnqcc0.
Government figures on Britain's 2.4m veterans, 126,000 of
whom are aged over 90, are available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-population-survey-uk-armed-forces-veterans-residing-in-great-britain-2017.
Labour is urging the Government to safely re-open the
helpline service for those who need it most. This could include
diverting calls to remote locations so they can be answered
without the need for a shared office space, or allowing a reduced
service which allows staff to work within a single office at a
safe distance.
Many businesses and other organisations are thinking
creatively in order to continue to provide this type of telephone
service safely, the Ministry of Defence should do the
same.
