The government has launched the first ever UK-wide survey, for veterans and their families.
Over the next 12 weeks, veterans across Burnley and Padiham will be able to complete the survey to shape the future of veteran services. Funded and commissioned by the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, this is the first ever exercise to collect feedback from the entire veterans community across the UK.
Commenting local MP Antony Higginbotham, who is an avid supporter of the veteran community said:
We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have served in our armed forces, defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
They deserve our support. And is why I’d encourage all veterans within Burnley and Padiham to fill in this short survey. It’s about helping Government better understand how we can continue to improve access to public services and provide support when it’s needed.
The survey, in collaboration with the Office for National Statistics (ONS), will ask veterans to describe their experiences of being a veteran and of using government services. This will ensure that the government can adapt services to better meet the needs of veterans and their families.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:
Public services need to reflect the people they serve and so it’s really important we hear from veterans on their experiences in accessing support.
No one knows better what it’s like to be a veteran in Britain than ex-military themselves. So I urge all ex-service personnel to take the small amount of time to fill in the first ever Veterans Survey.
Your voice can help shape stepped-up services for veterans.
The launch of the survey comes alongside the release of the ONS’s Census 2021 data on the veteran population in England and Wales. Last year was the first time a question about someone’s military service was included in the Census.
The new ONS figures released today show that there were 1.85 million people in England and Wales who reported that they had previously served in the armed forces.
The Veterans' Survey will be available for 12 weeks from 10 November 2022 and can be accessed by clicking below:
