Help for Heroes has today unveiled a new plan for veteran support at a parliamentary event in Westminster, attended by MPs from across the political spectrum.
The charity is warning the Government that, amidst growing global instability and talks of increased defence spending, the UK cannot ask more of its Armed Forces without first fixing the broken and unfair systems that disadvantage too many veterans after their service.
Help for Heroes has now outlined a clear, four-point plan that proposes solutions focused on:
- Improving healthcare access
- Strengthening financial security and compensation
- Delivering more inclusive support
- Ensuring long-term accountability across Government.
These changes form the centrepiece of the charity’s ‘People’s Promise’ campaign that urges politicians, public services and employers to help bring about meaningful change for veterans and their families.
As global instability rises and demands on the Armed Forces increase, Help for Heroes says the UK must match that commitment with stronger support for those who served.
Rob Marston, Service Director at Help for Heroes, said:
“As we face growing instability across the world, we are asking even more of our Armed Forces. However, we cannot continue to do that while failing to provide the same sense of security to those who leave service.
“Most veterans go on to build fulfilling lives after service, but too many are still being let down by inconsistent systems, delays in care, financial insecurity and barriers to support.
“The People’s Promise is about turning good intentions into action. These reforms are realistic, achievable, and urgently needed. Veterans should not be disadvantaged because of their service.”
Royal Air Force veteran Barrie Griffiths, who was medically discharged after 34 years of service following a serious spinal injury, described the abrupt loss of support after leaving the Armed Forces.
“While I was serving, my care and support were structured and consistent. But once I was discharged, it felt like I was suddenly left to navigate everything alone. The transition was abrupt and disorienting. It felt like being thrown to the wolves at the point I needed support the most.”
British Army Veteran and Armed Forces community spokesman David Dent said veterans are too often left navigating fragmented systems without clear accountability:
“Many veterans don’t ask for much. They are fiercely independent, and too often simply put up with the disadvantages their service has left them with. But responsibility for supporting veterans is spread across multiple systems, from healthcare to benefits and employment, with no single point of accountability.
That can leave support feeling inconsistent and difficult to navigate, particularly for those with the most complex needs.”
Among the reforms proposed in the plan are:
- An independent review of the military medical discharge process
- Long-term funding for veteran rehabilitation and hearing loss support
- Fairer treatment of Armed forces compensation within the benefits system
- Ending repeated benefit reassessments for amputees
- Address the needs of underserved veteran groups, including women veterans, LGBT+ veterans and Afghan personnel who served alongside UK Forces
- Stronger accountability across Government to ensure the Armed Forces Covenant is consistently delivered
The plan argues that improving support for veterans is not only a moral obligation but also a practical and economic one.
Help for Heroes says early intervention, better healthcare pathways and fairer support systems can reduce long-term pressure on public services while improving outcomes for veterans and their families.
The charity is now urging MPs to back the People’s Promise in Parliament and is calling on the public to add their names in support of the campaign during Armed Forces Week.
You can add your name here: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/take-action/campaigning-for-change/peoples-promise-to-veterans/
