WIREDGOV

The MoD has launched a consultation process to look at more ways to improve the welfare support given to the Armed Forces and their families.

The MoD has today published a Green Paper, “The Nation’s Commitment to the Armed Forces Community: Consistent and Enduring Support”, which will look at how to prevent Service personnel and their families being disadvantaged due to their unique circumstances in accessing public services such as housing, education and healthcare. It will also look to provide them with tailored routes through which to address complaints.

Defence Minister Kevan Jones said:

“Our Armed Forces are the best in the world and it is our duty to ensure that we do everything we can to support them and their families. The Service Personnel Command Paper we published last July has delivered some real benefits and will continue to do so over the coming years. This Green Paper will look at how we can ensure the principles of the Service Personnel Command Paper are permanently upheld across all levels of Government. I am confident that this consultation process will help us to deliver even more real and lasting improvements for the Armed Forces community.”

Chris Simpkins, The Royal British Legion Director General, said:

“The Royal British Legion applauded the publication of the Service Personnel Command Paper one year ago and we have closely followed the Government's progress on delivering its promised improvements. Good progress has been made, but it's now time to ensure that the welfare of our Armed Forces and their families is woven into the fabric of Government decision-making. We welcome the Green Paper consultation, in which we will play a full part, and anticipate real and lasting results building on what has already been achieved.”

The consultation follows the publication in July 2008 of the Service Personnel Command Paper. “The Nations Commitment: Cross-Government Support to our Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans” set out more than 40 measures to improve the lives of the Armed Forces community. Among the measures already delivered by the Service Personnel Command Paper are:
- Doubled compensation for the most serious injuries;
- Free further education for Service leavers;
- Help for Forces leavers to get on the housing ladder; and
- Established specialist mental health treatment centres for veterans.

Options in the Green Paper include creation of a Charter for the Armed Forces community, exploring the value of a legal duty being placed on public bodies, and an Armed Forces hotline to help Service personnel and their families make complaints if they are dissatisfied with the public services they receive. The consultation will seek views from the Armed Forces and their families, Service charities and the public, as well as service providers.

Notes to Editors:
1. The Service Personnel Command Paper (SPCP) was published on 17 July 2008. For more information visit www.mod.uk/spcp
2. An annual report into the first year’s progress in delivering the SPCP commitments will be published in the Autumn.