Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has welcomed the news that the Government is to implement the majority of the recommendations in the Veterans’ Transition Review, his report examining the transition of Armed Forces personnel from their military careers to civilian life.
As the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Veterans’ Transition, Lord Ashcroft looked in detail at the policies and provision in place for service leavers in areas including education, training, employment, health, housing, welfare, finance and information. He also examined the operation of Service charities and the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant. The proposals were widely welcomed by veterans’ groups, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the MOD.
Lord Ashcroft has pledged to maintain his interest in transition, monitoring progress in the implementation of his proposals and making any new recommendations he feels are necessary.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s decision to implement many of his recommendations, Lord Ashcroft said:
“In The Veterans’ Transition Review, published in February, I looked in detail at the extensive provision for service leavers in areas including education and training, resettlement and employment, housing, health, information provision and welfare, and made recommendations for improving that support. I also concluded that more should be done to emphasise that former service personnel have a great deal to offer, and that most make a successful transition to civilian life.
“I am pleased to see that the Government has accepted the great majority of the proposals, and that work is already underway on many of them. As I said in my report, I will maintain a close interest in transition and look forward to monitoring and encouraging progress as the recommendations are implemented. I will not hesitate to put forward additional recommendations should they be necessary”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC was appointed the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Veterans’ Transition in September 2012. The Veterans’ Transition Review was published on 11 February 2014.
The Review’s Terms of Reference were “to review the policies, legislation, regulations, guidelines and provision in place for the government to meet its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant with respect to veterans’ transition to civilian life, with a view to making recommendations that will ensure it is complete and successful.” The Review was independent and the Government did not fund its costs.
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