Minister insists Britain will be world's best for veteran care amid damning survey of military causes

The Tory chief’s pledge followed a damning survey of military charities, which have blasted the government for its lack of support for the armed forces community.

Out of 20 national organisations surveyed, almost three-quarters said the government was failing to do enough for veterans.

In a fresh announcement, Mr Mercer said the government was ramping up its support for military charities with a cash injection of £6m.

Revealing the news in parliament, the former soldier lauded the role of military causes and said: ‘We have secured an initial £6m out of the treasury to support veterans’ charities at a time.

‘But make no mistake, the environment that these charities are operating in is changing – it will change as a result of Covid-19 and I am absolutely determined to make sure that that ambition this prime minister has said, that this will be the best country in the world to be a veteran, is realised in due course.’

The charity study results have been conducted by specialist lawyers Bolt Burdon Kemp, in partnership with military cause Veteran’s Lifeline.

It found 78 per cent of military charities say the government is not doing enough to support veterans.

Research also revealed 72 per cent of causes claimed the armed forces are not doing enough to support veterans.

In contrast, almost half of those surveyed agreed the charity sector is doing enough to support veterans, while almost a quarter believe the charity sector was doing more than they should have to when it comes to supporting veterans.

Military charities also accused the government of overlooking mental health within the ex-forces community, which has been at the centre of a suicide ‘epidemic’.

Ahmed Al-Nahhas, head of the military claims team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, said: ‘The research we have carried out paints a stark and worrying picture for our service personnel and veterans.

‘What is worrying to us, but what seems quite the norm, is that most charities we canvassed feel unsupported, unconnected and ill-equipped.

‘The message to the government is clear: you need to provide more support to military charities and their members.’

In March, Mr Mercer announced a £200m investment in improving veteran mental health over the next decade, but charities surveyed said this money had come ‘too late’.

Labour’s shadow armed forces minister Stephen Morgan said the survey results ‘didn’t come as a surprise’.

The Portsmouth South MP added: ‘Social isolation, financial turmoil and pressure on mental health resulting from this pandemic means that support for our veterans community is needed now more than ever.’

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