Moved by
Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
14: Clause 8, page 18, line 28, at end insert—
“343AG Regional committees
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision to give committees established under section 25 of the Social Security Act 1989, known as Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees, additional functions specified in the regulations relating to all former members of Her Majesty’s forces and their relevant family members, and a new name.
(2) The regulations may in particular provide that it is a function of the committees—
(a) to report and make recommendations to the Secretary of State on matters that are or may be relevant to—
(i) their armed forces covenant report, and
(ii) sections 343AA to 343AD and guidance issued under section 343AE;
(b) to provide a distinct, identifiable, and independent point of reference in their region for both the veteran community and all those supporting it;
(c) to raise awareness of, and support the implementation of—
(i) services provided to the veteran community alone or with others,
(ii) the Government’s strategy for veterans, and
(iii) the terms of armed forces covenant;
(d) to act as an advocate, promoter, facilitator, or communicator of services that are relevant to the veteran community;
(e) to report and make representations and recommendations on existing or proposed services that are relevant to the veteran community.”
Member’s explanatory statement
This amendment seeks to extend the statutory functions of Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (VAPCs), currently limited to functions relating to compensation schemes for veterans and their families (the War Pensions and the Armed Forces Compensation Schemes) to all aspects of veteran life.