A message from the National Statistician on how the ONS is supporting the veteran community

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) has published their Strategy Action Plan which details how the government plans to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran by 2028.

The OVA is supercharging their work on understanding our incredible armed forces veterans by focusing on research and data and we are proud to be playing our part to help.

At the ONS, we're constantly working to provide new insight that can be used to make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable in society. Understanding any issue is the first step to solving it.

For the first time ever, this year @Census2021 data will give unprecedented insights into the veteran community following the introduction of a new question. Analysis will begin to be available later this year.

In addition, we continue to support the OVA with work on veteran suicide, a critical issue on which we are investing time and effort to produce high quality estimates that properly help us all understand how needs can be best met. We are also working to deliver a dedicated veterans survey and a veterans database.

As an inclusive employer we are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and focus our efforts on understanding the skills all new colleagues bring to roles at the ONS.

See the OVA’s strategy for more details on how ONS will support this work going forward

Sir Ian Diamond