Armed forces champion for London announced as updated Veterans’ housing report published
London VAPC (Veterans' Advisory and Pensions Committee) welcomes appointment of Assembly member Len Duvall as informal armed forces champion.
Assembly member Len Duvall. Greater London Authority copyright.
The appointment of London Assembly Member Len Duvall as informal armed forces champion for the capital has been welcomed by London VAPC.
The announcement was made as part of an updated Armed Forces Covenant signed by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. It commits to supporting the armed forces community and includes measures around housing, welfare and collecting data on veterans sleeping rough.
Len Duvall’s role will involve chairing a series of stakeholder round tables on behalf of the Mayor.
London VAPC vice-chairman Jim Blake said:
We’re pleased to see the Greater London Authority (GLA) reaffirm its commitment to the Armed Forces’ Covenant.
The news that Len Duvall has been appointed as the GLA’s informal armed force’s champion is also very welcome. I’ve already been to a first meeting at County Hall and spoken with him. His commitment and enthusiasm are evident and we’re very pleased he has taken on this role. We hope that, eventually, the role can become formal.
The need for London to appoint an armed forces champion was highlighted in a 2016 University of Kent report commissioned by London VAPC: Homeless Veterans in London: Investigating Housing Responsibilities.
The report has subsequently been updated twice, most recently this month following a workshop on housing policy held by London VAPC in June 2019. London local authorities, GLA members, including Len Duvall, charities and interested organisations all contributed.
All 3 reports can be read on the University of Kent’s website.