Last month, Luke Myer MP met Louise Sandher-Jones, the new Veterans Minister, to discuss the Veterans Strategy (published this week) and the need to strengthen mental health and wraparound support for veterans in East Cleveland.
The meeting followed earlier work with local veterans and the family of Sam Morgan from Guisborough, whose death last year highlighted unacceptable gaps in timely, in-person care. Minister Al Carns commented at the despatch box that he had “learned a huge amount” from the roundtable and committed to “come out with a plan in due course” – work which has now culminated in the new Strategy.
At the meeting with Minister Sandher-Jones, Luke welcomed progress on the Strategy and pressed concerns about waiting times on the OpCourage pathway and the need for clearer referrals from primary care. He also set out local progress secured with partners. Following cross-party work from Armed Forces Champion Cllr Dave Taylor and Labour Council Leader Alec Brown, Redcar & Cleveland Council has now appointed two Armed Forces Liaison Officers, Carl Lamb and Julie McCulloch, and agreed to provide greater priority for veterans in the council’s social housing policy.
There has been a major local development at Castle Court in Boosbeck, now to be named Morgan House in Sam’s memory. Thanks to local developers Keith and Laura Rutherford, who recognised a need following coverage of the roundtable in February, the former Castle Court care home has been converted into a state-of-the-art new veteran support centre. The contract has been awarded to well-established veteran organisation Healthier Heroes CIC, and Morgan House will provide dedicated accommodation and support for veterans, with the first twenty-two residents moving in from 15 November.
Luke visited the site in development earlier in the year, and praised the project in Parliament. In response, Minister Carns confirmed he “absolutely supports” the development. Luke has also recently met Andrew and Rio Powell from Healthier Heroes, and committed to working together to provide support. In the meeting with Minister Sandher-Jones, Luke highlighted the progress on Morgan House, and formally invited her to visit.
Nationally, the Labour Government has now launched the new Veterans Strategy, putting people at the heart of defence plans and making available £27 million for Op Valour Support Centres so veterans can access joined-up help on health, housing, employment, welfare and community integration. The Government is also expanding support to prevent and reduce veteran homelessness and investing in veteran-specific NHS services, alongside wider measures including recognition for nuclear test veterans and improved family housing.
Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:
“Our new Veterans Strategy fundamentally resets how we celebrate and support the remarkable men and women who have served in our Armed Forces, whilst harnessing their invaluable talent and skills across society.
“At the core of the strategy is VALOUR – backed by £50 million in funding. From today, organisations can bid for the first tranche of this funding to become part of a network of support centres across the country for our heroes – ensuring easier access to the assistance they need, when and where they need it.
“This strategy has been informed by those who it seeks to benefit: veterans, and we remain committed to stand by those who have stood by us.”
Luke said the priority now is making sure national commitments translate into practical, local help. He will continue working with ministers, the NHS, local councils and charities so veterans in East Cleveland and across Teesside get the care and respect they deserve.