Veterans and Armed Forces Summit in Wiltshire

Motion Text

That this House notes the Veterans and Armed Forces Summit held in Wiltshire on 29 October 2026, bringing together representatives from the Armed Forces community, veterans' organisations, local authorities, healthcare providers, employers and charities to identify persistent gaps in support for veterans, serving personnel and military families; recognises concerns raised regarding access to mental health and addiction services, the transition from military to civilian life, housing insecurity, childcare provision, domestic abuse prevention and difficulties navigating fragmented support systems; welcomes proposals developed at the summit for a comprehensive local Armed Forces support directory, stronger cooperation between military welfare teams and civilian services, improved pathways into independent housing for veterans leaving supported accommodation, and closer collaboration with the Government's VALOUR programme; further welcomes commitments to raise veterans' mental health waiting times, NHS transport provision, housing barriers and criminal justice interventions with relevant authorities; further recognises the vital contribution made by charities, community organisations and public services supporting the Armed Forces community across Wiltshire; believes that too many veterans and military families continue to face barriers caused by fragmented services and poor coordination between agencies; and calls on the Government to bring forward a comprehensive cross-departmental strategy for veterans and military families, covering health, housing, employment and family support, to strengthen coordination between the Ministry of Defence, NHS, local authorities and the voluntary sector, to improve support for service leavers, and to ensure that no veteran or military family falls through gaps in provision.