Resettlement
Making the UK the
best country in the world to be an Armed Forces Veteran
After a year that can only be described as challenging, we are slowly emerging out of lockdown and into a new landscape, one that has been profoundly altered by Covid-19.
Lt Gen James Swift, Chief of Defence People
D
efence played a huge part in the country’s response to Covid-19, but we did not pause other vital work, and there is much to report on the package of measures secured for ex-servicepe ople – covering not only practical support but also substantive changes in the law.
There are around 2.2 million Armed Forces Veterans in the United Kingdom and every year around 15,000 people leave the Armed Forces. Around 60% of them are under 35, with most seeking to take up a new career or job opportunities in civilian employment.
6 Easy Resettlement Magazine Summer 2021
PRIDE IN OUR ARMED FORCES I write this article just a few days before Armed Forces Week, bookended by Reserves Day (23 June) and Armed Forces Day (26 June). Wherever you are, I hope you find a positive way to mark the week, and I want to personally thank you for your commitment and service to our country. Armed Forces Week is always a special time in the military calendar, and rightly so. It is an annual showcase of all that’s finest about our military and an opportunity for people to show support for all the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community; from those currently serving to Service families, to ex-servicepeople and cadets. It is also a great outreach opportunity, showing people how they can carve out a role, whether in active service, as a reservist or a veteran.
MAKING RESETTLEMENT EASIER In March 2021 the Defence Command Paper, “Defence in a Competitive Age,” set out in some detail the changes we need to make in order to deal with emerging and evolving threats in a rapidly changing world. The paper also outlined key measures aimed at delivering on our commitment to make the UK the best country in the world to be an Armed Forces Veteran. One crucial measure is the Armed Forces Bill, which will enshrine the Armed Forces Covenant into law, so that those who serve, or who have served, in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly when they need to access public services such as healthcare, education and housing. Alongside this, we have a new initiative to make the Civil Service ‘A Great Place to Work for Veterans’. Many ex-servicepeople already work in the Civil Service, bringing with them unique skills, experience and many of the values the Civil Service thrives on: a commitment to public service, teamwork, inclusion, creativity and drive. The scheme makes it easier for veterans to secure an interview: if they meet
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