The UK Government’s Office for Veterans’ Affairs has launched a major new consultation to gather evidence on the experiences of UK Armed Forces veterans.
This consultation will enable us to better understand veterans, their families and their experiences in the community. The findings will be used to shape our strategies, and ensure that we make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran.
We are seeking responses from UK Armed Forces veterans and their families, based across the UK or overseas – as well as veteran organisations, charities and experts.
You can take part in the consultation by visiting GOV.UK.
We encourage you to share details of the consultation with your networks so as many veterans and organisations as possible get their chance to have a say. You could raise awareness through your meetings, engagements, newsletters, websites or on social media. Please feel free to use the attached social posts, or contact us if you need further support.
The consultation closes on 4 January.
Why are we launching the consultation?
The UK Government has committed to making the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran. We want to ensure veterans receive world-class services and support to thrive in civilian life and contribute their unique skills and experience to grow the UK economy.
This consultation will enable us to build a better understanding of veterans so that we can assess the effectiveness of current policy and services, and shape our strategies so that they are fit for the future.
We are interested in gathering evidence on veterans’ experiences and the support they receive from organisations, including local services, charities, families, social clubs, associations and employers.
The UK Government will use the results of the consultation alongside other evidence we collect. This will help us design better policies to support veterans and prevent veterans being disadvantaged.
What does the consultation cover?
The consultation focuses on areas that affect veterans, including health, housing and education, as well as several others.
We are seeking responses from veterans and their families across the UK, and from overseas veterans who have served in the UK Armed Forces. We recognise that services vary depending on location.
The consultation explores a number of themes including:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Employment, Education and Skills
- Making a Home in Civilian Society
- Finance and Debt
- Veterans and the Law
- Community and Relationships
- Collaboration between organisations
- Coordination of Veterans’ services
- Data on the Veteran community
- Public perception and understanding
- Recognition of Veterans
- Economic contribution of veterans
Who can respond to the consultation?
This consultation is open to all, but we expect it to be of particular interest to:
- Academic Experts and other third sector organisations that focus on veterans’ issue
- Charities, competent authorities, and other groups that provide services to, otherwise support veterans.
- Individual companies and organisations that employ veterans, business groups and economic research organisations.
- Veterans, veteran groups, and those who provide support to veterans.
