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Andy Pike Policy Adviser

The Public Affairs and Public Policy Team

Meet the team

Name Role Email Matthew Seward Assistant Director (Public Affairs and Public Policy) mseward@britishlegion.org.uk Laura Pett Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager lpett@britishlegion.org.uk Peter Evans Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager (Wales) pevans@britishlegion.org.uk Ben Kitching Campaigns and Policy Officer bkitching@britishlegion.org.uk Bruce Holborn Local Campaigns Officer bholborn@britishlegion.org.uk Marie-Louise Sharp Policy Adviser (Health and Social Care) msharp@britishlegion.org.uk Andy Pike Policy Adviser apike@britishlegion.org.uk

What we do

1. Liaise with politicians and officials 2. Identify and deliver campaigns 3. Produce and commission research

Research and Publications

The Armed Forces Community

Consultation Responses

1. ONS Consultation on 2021 Census 2. Treasury’s Consultation on 2015 Spending Review 3. Department of Health Consultation on Care Act 2014 (Cap and Appeals Process) 4. Department of Health Consultation on NHS Constitution 5. Welsh Government Consultation on Council Tax Support

Campaigns

2015 Manifesto

• 1. Consultation launched 18

months ago

• 2. 12 key policy

recommendations

• 3. Range of issues covered for

both Service and veteran communities

• 4. Launched in October 2014

at Party Conferences

Manifesto Success

✓ Widows’ pensions

From 1 April 2015 all widows and widowers have been able to keep their widows’ pensions regardless of their marital status ✓ Hearing loss £10m fund has been created to enable veterans to access higher grade hearing aids otherwise unavailable on the NHS

Manifesto Success

✓ Mental Health Key mental health services now have to meet an 18 week time limit and £8.4m is being allocated to community mental health services working with the most vulnerable veterans ✓ Resettlement support The Career Transition Partnership has been extended to include Early Service Leavers and Reservists. A pilot will also now operate for spouses of Armed Forces personnel

Manifesto Success

✓ Credit Union From October 2015, the MOD has facilitated payroll deductions for the purposes of savings and loan repayments ✓ War Pension Mobility Supplement All lower limb amputees receiving a >40% War Pension can now receive the higher War Pension Mobility Supplement

Manifesto Success

✓ Veterans Mobility Fund

£3million grant from the Treasury for the provision of mobility equipment for those injured in Service.

✓ Mesothelioma

All veterans diagnosed with this asbestos related cancer after 16 December 2015 can now opt to receive £140k in lump sum compensation.

Insult to Injury

1. Disparity in way two forms of military compensation are treated

• War Pension (pre-2005)
• AFCS GIPs (post-2005)

2. Armed Forces Covenant breach 3. Postcode lottery 4. Review charging guidelines and establish ring-fenced fund

Community Covenants

1. First signing in 2011, last in July 2014 2. Best practice developing across the country, especially in housing, health & employment 3. Importance of involving local partners 4. Service provision vs. Remembrance parades

Community Covenants

5. ‘What’s Next?’ booklet: – Housing allocations – Disregard compensation – Disabled Facilities Grants – Single Integrated Plan – School places 6. Not just about costly policies and the Grant Scheme 7. New £10m per annum funding resource

Upcoming Campaigns

Count us in ‘Triple Lock’ Gulf 25

Questions?