The Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (VA&PCs) are an independent voice here to help and support ex-Servicemen and women, whenever or wherever they served. Formerly known as the War Pensions Committees, the VA&PCs advise and liaise with veterans, their families and relevant organisations on their needs, issues and concerns. They assist, raise awareness, act as advocates and champion the rights of veterans. Each regional VA&PC is made up of a Chairman and between 12 and 20 unpaid volunteer members, drawn from a cross-section of the local community with a genuine interest in furthering the support available to veterans and their families. Here is a brief outline of their responsibilities:
• Assisting veterans within each region to move into civilian life, ensuring independence and integrity.
• Advising the Minister of State for Defence Personnel and Veterans and reviewing government initiatives about the veterans’ community.
• Communicating veterans’ welfare concerns and issues to MPs, the Veterans Welfare Service, local authorities and the health sector, the Media, The Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO) and various other organisations.
• Developing relationships with local and national charities to support and enhance the assistance they provide.
• Working with, supporting and advising various sectors and organisations with implementing the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant to ensure best practice.
• Liaising closely with Veterans UK to offer and assist individuals with independent pensions and compensation advice and representation. The VA&PCs work closely with Veterans UK and twice a year they host a Chairman’s conference that is attended by the Head Veterans UK, Jon Parkin. The Conference is a chance for the VA&PC Chairs to get together and discuss any current or emerging issues that may affect the Veterans communities in their respective areas, and to share best practice. This year the conference was opened and attended by the Minister of State for Defence Personnel and Veterans, Mark Lancaster, who said “The VA&PC’s make an enormous contribution and are a really good example of a more collaborative approach between volunteer organisations and the public sector”
Veterans can get contact details for their local Committee by calling the Veterans UK Helpline on 0808 1914 2 18 or by visiting
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-advisory-and-pensions-committees-x13/about
