Guidance

VAPC London: meeting minutes 18 September 2024

Updated 19 December 2024

Venue: Barclays Rise, 41 Luke Street, London EC2A 4DP with some members joining using Microsoft Teams

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm

Present 

• Robin Herzberg (FRH) – Chairman

• Victoria Bell (VB)

• Jim Blake (JB)

• Caroline Flynn Macleod (CFM)

• Bishnu Gurung (BG)

• Alpa Raja (AR)

• Larry Stone (LS)

• Adam Kurzeja (AK)

• Brian Willmore (BW)

• Alex Woolgar-Toms (AWT)

Apologies 

• Annabel Goulding (AG)

• Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter OBE (CSPH)

• Charles Perrett (CP)

• Frances Luczyc Wyhowska (FLW)

Welcome 

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence 

It was noted that AG, CSPH, CP and FLW were unable to attend.

Minutes of 19 June 2024 meeting 

The minutes, which had been circulated, were approved and were ready to be sent to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for publication.

Action: FRH 

Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

New Minister for Veterans and People

FRH reported that Al Carns had been appointed Minister for Veterans and People. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) is moving from the Cabinet Office to the MOD.

AK confirmed that the OVA would be fully integrated into the MOD and that all important decisions would have to be approved by the Secretary of State for Defence.

CFM observed that a Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was being carried out, but that many question the ability to have a ‘root and branch review’ when the budget will be set before it is published. The propositions, which have to be responded to, are at a very strategic level.

Members agreed that a meeting with the new minister should be sought as a matter of urgency.

Letter from Rob Rowntree and John Shivas

FRH reported on a letter from Rob Rowntree and John Shivas of the MOD reminding VAPCs, inter alia, of the priorities of the former Minister for Defence People and Families, Andrew Murrison. It reported on the lived experience of veterans around the country in terms of MOD’s veteran support services, and included an assessment of the impact of the Armed Forces Covenant and covenant duty at the local level in terms of veterans and families’ experience.

The letter also stated that our next report should be supported by evidence we have collected by, for example, gathering views at Lived Experience Events, or by circulating surveys or questionnaires.

JB pointed out that surveys could be conducted through social media.

VB noted that the Army’s Director of Personnel, Sam Humphris, was focused on the lived experience of military personnel from when they are recruited into the army to when they transition into civilian life.

Members expressed concern that VAPCs had limited resources to conduct surveys and that some veterans might not be inclined to respond to such requests.

Statutory instrument

FRH reported that, although a working group had been established to draft the statutory instrument needed to implement the provisions in the VAPC Act 2023, officials were still awaiting input from ministers following various reviews before progressing the drafting.

JB observed that many hereditary peers were veterans and would be leaving the House of Lords. CFM noted that, on the other hand, many new members of the House of Commons were also veterans.

Members agreed that a statutory instrument extending our responsibilities to all aspects of veterans’ welfare was important and that all avenues should be explored to expedite the statutory instrument.

Next report to the minister

FRH confirmed that our next report to the minister was not due until 5 April 2025.

Strategy development 

FRH reported on a workshop, organised by the Southwest VAPC that he, LS and FLW had attended. Topics discussed included the need for a dedicated point of contact at the MOD for use ‘in extremis’ to flag up problematic compensation cases; the need for GDPR compliant systems, and the need for the independence of individual VAPCs to be recognised and upheld.

LS observed that there was a need to build consensus across the various regional VAPCs in some key areas including around handling compensation cases.

Performance Data

FRH reported on recent data relating to the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). WPS relates to injury, illness or death before 6 April 2005 and AFCS relates to injury, illness or death after that date.

AWT, who had attended the performance meeting, reported that he had sought to understand to what extent the policies and procedures allowed officials to expedite ‘in extremis’ cases. The policies and procedures need to be ‘fit for purpose’ such that they allow such cases to be treated differently.

AWT noted that a significant proportion of awards are being increased by the tribunal on appeal.

AWT expressed the view that officials should consider the circumstances of the individual veteran, e.g. whether they are on universal credit, suffering financial hardship or are in crisis, when making compensation awards.

The committee again expressed strong concerns about the length of time it was taking to get claims processed.

BG raised some specific concerns about the Gurkha pensions. FRH noted that the London VAPC had previously raised concerns relating to Gurkha pensions with officials (in November 2022) and undertook to follow up any developments in this regard, as well as any new concerns that BG wished to raise.

AR pointed out that Gurkha veterans in crisis should contact the Veterans Aid crisis line (0207 828 2468) for support.

Reports from the common interest groups

FRH reported that on a meeting of the employment and transitioning group at which Colonel (Retired) Patrick Sensburg of the German Army had been the guest speaker.

LS noted that the meeting had identified the strong influence that the 16 Länder (Federal states of Germany) have over veterans’ affairs. It had also identified the extent to which veterans are offered special opportunities for rehabilitation, therapy and other services.

LS noted that, if the new government still wanted to make the UK ‘the best place in the world to be a veteran’, then the work of the VAPCs in making international comparisons would continue to be important.

Working with the Greater London Authority and London boroughs

BW reported that there had been no new developments since the last meeting.

Working with military charities 

FRH reported that meetings had taken place with:

• Beyond the Wire - supports bereaved service families
• Fishing for Heroes - provides funded fly-fishing courses for veterans
• Help for Heroes - supports veterans and their families after service
• Haig Housing - provides homes for veterans and their families
• Fighting Chance - provides funded boxing lessons for veterans
• Veterans Can - positive, community-led action for veterans

Many of these meetings had been organised and attended by FLW.

AR reported on her meeting with Veterans Aid, which provides support to veterans in crisis.

FRH reported that meetings had also taken place with:

• Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
• Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
• the Gurkha Community at Hayes Harlington Community Centre
• Brunel University

FRH asked members to report back on any significant contact with military charities in the London region.

Working with Greater London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association 

LS reported that there had been no new developments since the last meeting.

Any other business

JB expressed the view that pain suffered by veterans should be recognized as a specific basis for compensation. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the availability of affordable housing for veterans.

CFM reported that she was drawing up a letter to send to all London members of parliament explaining the important role and work of the London VAPC.

Date of the next meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting would take place at 4pm on 18 December 2024 at Barclays Rise or by video conference.

Meetings next year would take place on 19 March 2025, 18 June 2025, 17 September 2025 and 17 December 2025.