VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Veterans Welfare Service: Northern Ireland

Asked by Carla LockhartDemocratic Unionist PartyMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 9 June 2025UIN 54956

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential role of the Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland in (a) shaping and (b) delivering the VALOUR programme to take account of (i) regional needs and (ii) existing collaborative practice.

Answered by Al Carns

VALOUR is a new programme to establish the first ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A network of new regional field officers will work with local organisations to coordinate local delivery and ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities. In Northern Ireland, we will build on the effective collaborative between the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office. This will include enhancing partnerships with the wider veteran support system, including the Thrive Together programme led by Brooke House. The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with a range of relevant partners, including these local partners, with further details to be announced in due course.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim