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08 Nov 24. Government boosts support for veterans ahead of Remembrance.
Housing support for UK veterans has been guaranteed after the government committed new additional funding for veterans’ homelessness support programmes
- Prime Minister to host veterans and families in Downing Street as the nation prepares to remember all those who fought for our freedom.
- Government commits £3.5m for a dedicated wraparound service for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness and ensures they have access to specialist support for employment and independent living.
- Builds on pledge to provide homes for heroes, as Prime Minister says, “Veterans represent the very best of our country, and we must honour their sacrifices.”
Housing support for veterans across the UK has been guaranteed after the government committed millions of pounds of new additional funding for veterans’ homelessness support programmes.
The extension follows the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s recent pledge to deliver “homes for heroes” and means that under this government, support will be there for veterans at risk of homelessness – not only this Christmas but throughout 2025, including next Christmas and into 2026.
The announcement comes as the Prime Minister, alongside the Defence Secretary and Minister for Veterans and People, hosts veterans and charities for a reception at 10 Downing Street today (Friday 8 November) to mark and celebrate the contributions of the Armed Forces community ahead of Remembrance weekend.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Veterans represent the very best of our country, and we must honour their sacrifices. When I came into office, I promised that I would serve our heroes as they have served us. That is the least they deserve given the sacrifices they have made, and it is why this government is ensuring homes will be there for heroes across the UK. They have done so much to secure our safety it is only right they have security of their own.”
“As the country comes together this weekend, we pay solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the values and freedoms that we enjoy.”
The Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme and Op Fortitude helpline provide wraparound services to veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness, such as specialist mental health support, help with securing employment and independent living.
The Prime Minister will meet with veterans and their families at Downing Street to hear about their experiences and reiterate the government’s commitment to supporting veterans for the long term.
The reception comes ahead of Remembrance Sunday, when the Prime Minister will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, joined by Cabinet Ministers including Defence Secretary John Healey and defence chiefs, as the nation remembers all those who fought to defend our values and freedoms.
The pledge builds on the Prime Minister’s recent “homes for heroes” commitment which will exempt veterans from rules which require a connection to a local area to access social housing in England. To ensure local authorities play a key role in delivering this pledge, the MHCLG is hosting a roundtable with representatives from veteran charities and housing providers such as Stoll and Haig Housing.
These changes demonstrate the government delivering on the manifesto commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve and have served. As part of this, the government will put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law. The Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “Our nation is deeply proud of the veterans who have served the country. Theirs is the ultimate public service. Our Armed Forces and veterans will always have our fullest support. As a government we are committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve. We are extending the support for veterans to ensure that those who need it get the housing support they deserve. As we come together as a nation this weekend, we honour all those who have served and fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Minister for Veterans and People Alastair Carns MP said: “Our armed forces are the guarantors of everything we hold dear. They risk life and limb for our nation and this government will ensure veterans and those serving live a life worthy of the incredible contribution they made to this nation. To those I had the honour to serve alongside and to every veteran, I say thank you. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, I will remember the individuals who have gone before us, and I honour all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This is a government committed to delivering for all those who serve and have served. I am deeply honoured to be responsible for ensuring our veterans get the support they need and deserve, not just at Remembrance but year-round. We’re turning words into action to improve life for every veteran.”
Today’s announcements build on recent government commitments to support and champion veterans. In last month’s Budget, the government extended the National Insurance relief for employers hiring qualifying veterans for a further year until 5 April 2026.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
07 Nov 24. Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies specialising in Defence, Aerospace & Space, and Cybersecurity & Digital Identity, is proud to become a partner and patron of Bleuet de France.
Bleuet de France supports war casualties (with both physical and psychological injuries), soldiers deployed on overseas missions, victims of terrorist attacks, war widows and widowers, wards of the Nation, and grieving families. Its actions benefit 25,000 people.
“We are honoured to join forces with Bleuet de France, an emblematic organisation for solidarity and remembrance. At Thales, we have always been committed to supporting those who have served our country, as well as the victims of all conflicts, whether on the battlefield or during terrorist attacks. This partnership is an opportunity to strengthen our commitment and to further contribute to this great cause,” said General Bernard Barrera, Army Advisor for Land Defence at Thales.
“For nearly a century, Bleuet has stood alongside ‘those who remain’ to fulfil its mission: providing them with human and material support. Solely relying on donations and private patronage, Bleuet de France is pleased to now count Thales among its partners, who will help us expand our impact,” said Patrick Remm, President of Bleuet de France.
Thanks to donations, Bleuet de France can notably fund higher education for some wards of the Nation, provide equipment for injured soldiers, and offer psychological support to victims of terrorist attacks and their families.
Thales is actively committed to promoting Bleuet de France campaigns among its employees throughout the year. On the occasion of the commemorations of Armistice Day on 11 November and of the tragic Paris attacks, the company is organising an awareness and fundraising campaign, both online and at 16 of its industrial and tertiary sites across France.
Thales is also relying on the company’s 260 army reservists to raise awareness and improve the visibility of Bleuet de France, and to sensitise all its employees to this civic initiative of solidarity and recognition.
About Bleuet de France
Since the end of World War I, Bleuet de France has been providing psychological, material, and financial support to the men and women who risked their lives for France, victims of terrorist attacks, soldiers injured during overseas operations, veterans, wards of the Nation, grieving families, and residents of certified nursing homes.
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SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. In 2020, our teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 79,000 people in need, the
currently serving (both regulars and reserves), veterans from the Second World War and those who have served in more recent conflicts, as well as their families. SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us.
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/about-us
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us
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