The Office for Veterans Affairs and the Office of the Secretary
of State for Wales have jointly appointed Colonel as Veterans’ Commissioner
for Wales.
Welsh Secretary said he was delighted that
had been appointed to the
role, which will build on the success of counterpart roles in
Scotland and Northern Ireland and will mean that all devolved
nations have a Veterans’ Commissioner.
James will be working to enhance the support for veterans in
Wales, as well as scrutinising and advising on government policy
for veterans.
The establishment of a Welsh Veterans Commissioner will ensure
that the particular needs and contributions of veterans in Wales
are represented.
The Veterans’ Commissioner will help direct veterans and their
families to local support available in areas such as healthcare
and mental health provision, housing and employment, as well as
assisting charities and advocating for the veteran community in
Wales.
The appointment has been announced as Wales celebrates St David’s
Day and during Wales Week in London, where the UK Government is
holding a number of events.
James has just completed his own transition to civilian life
after 33 years in the Army. He has served in Germany, Cyprus, The
Netherlands, Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq.
He has commanded soldiers, sailors and air personnel and worked
in NATO, MOD, Joint and Army Headquarters. He is married and
lives in Pembrokeshire with 4 children and a very boisterous
Welsh Springer Spaniel.
The Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales, Colonel said:
As a veteran of more than thirty years’ service, I am very
excited to be appointed as the first Veterans’ Commissioner for
Wales. The ex-forces community forms an important part of Welsh
society and there is a long tradition of service and sacrifice. I
will utilise my experience and position to improve the lives of
all veterans and their families.
Secretary of State for Wales said:
The Armed Forces have a long and important tradition in Wales and
we are exceptionally proud of our Welsh veterans. Our
ex-servicemen and women and their families deserve recognition,
support and respect throughout the duration of their service and
beyond.
The appointment of a Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales will
increase and coordinate the support available and highlights the
UK Government’s commitment to the welfare of the men and women
who serve in our Armed Forces.
I am delighted that we could make this hugely important
announcement on St David’s Day.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said:
We want to ensure that veterans across all corners of the United
Kingdom have access to high quality support.
The appointment of Colonel Phillips to this role now means that
all parts of the UK have commissioners to champion veterans
across society and hold the public sector to account.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans said:
This appointment delivers on a key part of our Veterans’ Strategy
Action Plan and I look forward to working with Colonel Phillips.
I know they will work hard to represent veterans in Wales -
driving forward support for them across the country, whether it
is housing, employment or healthcare.
Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Social Partnership,
said:
Wales provides a wide range of support for veterans – from NHS
Veterans Wales to our Armed Forces Liaison Officers – and we are
committed to working with stakeholders to supporting all those
who have served.
The Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales is a UK Government
appointment. We look forward to working with Colonel as part of our commitment
to veterans across Wales.
Colonel Phillips will be reporting directly to the Secretary of
State for Wales, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Defence,
People and Veterans .
In January the Office for Veterans’ Affairs launched the
government’s Veterans Strategy Action Plan. Commitments in the
plan relating to Wales include:
- Stepping up data and understanding of the veterans’ cohort in
Wales, through the first veterans question in last year’s Census
in England and Wales. This will allow us to publish insights
developed from the census data across a range of topics affecting
veterans and their families, from health and wellbeing to housing
and employment.
- The Welsh Government continuing to support the Veterans NHS
Wales specialist mental healthcare service and Veterans Trauma
Network (VTN) Wales service for veterans with complex physical
injuries.
- The Welsh Government will work with Armed Forces Liaison
Officers (AFLOs) and partners including regional suicide and
self-harm prevention coordinators to promote mental health first
aid training.
- The Welsh Government will review and publish a new Armed
Forces Covenant, Healthcare Priority for Veterans Guidance,
subject to UK developments including the Armed Forces Bill.
