Veterans’ Survey 2022: The challenges faced by UK veterans and the urgent need for action

A new survey published by the Office for National Statistics has revealed insights into what life is like for UK armed forces veterans once they have stopped serving and raises points on where support should be improved.

The survey gives an overview of the issues veterans face, alongside societal issues that need to be addressed by the government and other external organisations.

At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we are here to help and support veterans with any legal matters. As members of the Armed Forces Covenant, we offer discounts on a range of our services to ensure legal support is affordable. We also work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you will not pay a penny unless your claim is successful.

Last year, Oakwood Solicitors Ltd partnered with FrontFoot, a veteran’s support organisation, to widen our network with the Armed Forces and assist more veterans with their legal matters.

Veterans’ Survey 2022, UK – What it means

Below we break down some of the major issues addressed in the report, as well as some ways veterans can seek support. Some of the main issues outlined in the report centre around finances, salaries, housing and a lack of support once they have left the forces.

Housing

According to the statistics, around 1 in 400 (0.3%) veterans said they were homeless, rough sleeping or living in a refuge for domestic abuse, and 9 in 400 (2.3%) said they lived long-term with family or friends.

And just over 1 in 10 (10.8%) veterans who were homeless or rough sleeping said they had received government support, such as from Veterans UK or local councils.

Some respondents highlighted how it was difficult to leave the forces, find a new job and find somewhere to live simultaneously. Others said it would help if they were given confirmed housing upon leaving the UK armed forces for an interim period while a veteran found work.

There were also calls for more support in supplying both information about and the actual provision of social, council or affordable housing for veterans.

In the study, former personnel shared their experiences – highlighting the lack of support for those in need.

One person said:

“When I was discharged as a single soldier, I was homeless at the immediate point of discharge, and when I sought help I was told as a single male with no dependants I had no entitlement to accommodations just to wait and to go to citizens advice as I had been medically discharged with 30% disability this had a profound effect on my mental health and exacerbated my PTSD.”

“I’ve spent the past 5 years moving round from place to place, renting rooms and having no permanent address to live at. The waiting lists for Council housing are huge and rented accommodation prices are massive. There seems to be a total lack of any priority for ex-forces when it comes to housing,” another added.

Others said they want more support finding housing, getting on the property ladder and better protection from bad landlords. Earlier this year we wrote an article about help available to the Armed Forces when buying a property.

Meanwhile, Oakwood Solicitors Ltd offers discounted conveyancing and legal fees when veterans buy or sell a house. Get in touch today.

Health and NHS issues

Another issue raised in the report included comments about healthcare and mental health support. Veterans said they faced issues with the NHS, specifically issues with transitioning to civilian medical care. Many veterans mentioned issues with dentist services.

Other sub-themes within the theme of health included statements about a lack of health services available in relation to support for injuries or wellness issues that veterans felt had been a direct result of their service.

Some specifically mentioned needing support for hearing loss, disability, the War Pension Scheme, and a need for continuity of care through better access to service medical records.

Meanwhile, others said that NHS waiting lists of mental health support and a lack of understanding by NHS professionals about military experiences and operations made treatment of conditions such as Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder less effective.

However, if you are a veteran and have suffered as a result of negligent care by the NHS or any other healthcare provider, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Additionally, if you have suffered any injury as a result of your time in service, for example tinnitus, military deafness or asbestos-related illness contact us today.

Service injuries

In addition to this, many veterans felt that because of the service-related nature of many of their health issues and their service more generally, there should be a way to fast-track or prioritise services for veterans, or that specific veteran medical services should be provided.

Treatment for deterioration of health conditions over time, which were caused by a veteran’s role in service was also something veterans said was lacking.

If you have been left with injuries as a result of your time in service, get in touch with us today.

Lack of support

According to the survey, many veterans said the main thing lacking for them was knowledge of what support was already available. This included a lack of support across many areas including mental health, employment and financial support.

Veterans who said they lived long-term with family or friends most frequently said health support and mental health support were lacking and referenced a lack of support for veterans in relation to signposting to available services and career information.

One person commented: “I should have received help when I left the Army.  I was medically discharged and left to my own devices.  I had no idea what to do, or where to go for further help. So, like most ex-military, I buried my issues deep within only for them to consequently ruin my life further down the line.”

Meanwhile, around 1 in 10 referenced the lack of housing support or financial support.

“In my experience, it would have been helpful to have contacts and/or support on exit from the army around housing. I was medically discharged and had to sleep on my 12-year-old niece’s bedroom floor for 6 months. I was not told about any services that would have been able to help me find somewhere to live,” one person explained.

Oakwood Solicitors Ltd partner, FrontFoot, can support veterans as they transition from the forces to civilian life. Whether you need assistance finding a job, getting ‘job ready’ and retraining in a new industry, or help with seeking mental health support, FrontFoot can assist.

Oakwood Solicitors Ltd and supporting veterans

Oakwood Solicitors is committed to supporting Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists, whether they are still serving or have entered civilian life. Proudly partnered with veterans’ organisation, FrontFoot we aim to support veterans in all manners of life.

Having signed the Armed Forces Covenant, Oakwood Solicitors is passionate about supporting and seeking justice for those who have served our country.

We can help you navigate legal claims including personal injury, noise-induced hearing loss, non-freezing cold injury and psychiatric injuries. We can also assist with other legal matters such as writing a Will, Family Law and property transactions.

Navigating military legal claims for compensation can be complex, but understanding your rights and the process involved is crucial. Oakwood Solicitors Ltd offers discounts to Armed Forces personnel and service leavers and this legal support can be vital in helping you recover and move forward with your life.

Further reading

For a full breakdown of the specialised services we offer to Armed Forces, click here.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Contact us today on 0113 218 5713 or frontfoot@oakwoodsolicitors.co.uk.