A NEW Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan to help men and women of the Armed Forces to thrive after leaving service has been welcomed by the both Scottish Borders Champion for Armed Forces and Veterans Councillor John Greenwell and local MP John Lamont.

The new measure means more funding for the Veterans Gateway and aims to significantly reduce time to respond to pension enquiries.

The Gateway provides a point of contact to find support services available and for ex-servicemen and women to talk to advisors.

The UK Government will introduce a National Insurance contribution holiday for Service leavers to improve employability, benefitting 15,000 people across the UK.

This scheme also aims to encourage businesses to employ veterans and a ‘Great Place to Work’ scheme aims to support veterans into Civil Service roles.

In addition, the government will deal with the threat of vexatious legal proceedings in relation to events which occurred on historical overseas operations through the Overseas Operations Act.

Cllr Greenwell, Member for Mid Berwickshire ward, said: “I am delighted to see at last a UK government showing real commitment to our veterans and their families.

“Veterans have been looking for leadership from our politicians both at Westminster and Holyrood to address their needs for many years and the publication of the Veterans’ Strategy is just what is needed.

“An emphasis around sharing information to the Scottish Government so that we have a better understanding of the number of veterans living and working here will be of great help.

“Fast tracking of job opportunities for veterans will also go a long way in reducing homelessness and poverty amongst our veterans.

“I welcome the publication of the Veterans’ strategy and action plan and will be watching very closely to ensure that the actions promised actually make a difference to the lives of veterans living in Scotland.”

John Lamont MP said: “This is a vital piece of work by the Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and demonstrates a significant shift in how we support our veteran community.

“Our Armed Forces personnel show bravery and commitment to our country every day. Their important work abroad, coupled with their life saving Covid-19 testing and vaccine support here in the Scottish Borders, is testament to that.

“In return for their unwavering dedication, we must make the UK a better place to be a veteran – indeed, we are striving to be the best in the world by 2028.

“Making it easier to transfer into civilian work opportunities and making it much easier to access all of the different kinds of support available will be key to achieving this.”