Map highlights councils’ ‘lost veterans’ problem
By Tony Hudson
British veterans could end up without local government support due to a lack of information about where they live, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
A new map released by the LGA today reveals the concentration of where veterans are located in England and Wales.
The new data still does not provide a complete picture, however. Out of the approximately 4.8 million veterans living in Britain, only ten per cent are accounted for by government records.
The LGA is pushing for more information from the government in order to fulfill their 'duty of care' to the armed forces as set out in the military covenant.
Cllr David Rogers, chairman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: "The armed forces are an integral part of who we are as a nation and an inspiration to us all.
"This new map is a positive step in helping councils ensure that veterans suffer no disadvantage as a result of their service to our country.
He added: "We of course recognise the need for privacy and data protection laws, but we want to work with the government and other bodies to find a way to share data that will benefit our brave service men and women."
In the United States the department of veterans affairs annually collects information on how many veterans live in each state in order to inform policy and improve benefits.
The publication of today's map marks the first time that such information has become publicly available in the UK.
