Veterans Support

Veterans

I have been proud of the Conservatives record introducing wraparound support for veterans who have served this country with bravery and distinction. We want to build on this to make sure the UK remains the best place in the world to be a veteran.

Rebecca Harris

Veterans Policy:

  • Bringing into law the first ever Veterans’ Bill. The Conservatives will introduce the UK’s first ever Veterans’ Bill to enshrine veterans’ rights into law, such as ensuring military qualifications have an equal standing with civilians’ qualifications for the first time. This legislation will secure the UK’s status as a world leader in our support for veterans. 

 

  • Extending the visa fees waiver introduced to cover Commonwealth personnel to include their direct dependents, acknowledging both their personal contribution and service to our nation. The Conservative Government have already waived the full fee of £2,389 for those eligible personnel and veterans who have served for at least six years and wish to settle in the UK. If elected, this will now be extended to cover Commonwealth personnel and to include their direct dependents.

 

  • Extending tax cuts for businesses who employ veterans, helping to get them into the workplace after leaving service. Employers can already qualify for National Insurance contributions relief for up to 12 months when hiring veterans who are working in a civilian job. We will extend this to reward employers who back our veterans. Since 2015 the veterans’ employment rate has risen from 80% to 89%. We will bring forward measures to disregard War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme awards as income from benefits and pensions.  

 

  • Cutting the cost of the Veterans’ Railcard by almost a third, recognising veterans’ service for our country. The price of a Veterans Railcard will be cut from £30 per year to £21, bringing it in line with the price serving personnel currently pay for the HM Forces Railcard. 

 

  • Preserving the Office for Veterans Affairs with a dedicated Minister in Cabinet, ensuring veterans’ voices are heard at the highest level in Government. I was proud to see the introduction of an Office for Veterans’ Affairs for the first time in its history to ensure that when our Armed Forces personnel leave their service, they are looked after in the manner they deserve. I am pleased the Conservatives remain committed to maintaining the budget of the Office at £10 million throughout the next Parliament.

 

  • Veterans’ ID Cards in future elections. We will change the law to ensure that Veteran ID cards are valid identification in all future elections, so that all veterans have peace of mind when voting.