Sign our petition calling for a Veterans’ Commissioner for England

The Royal British Legion is urging the UK Government to appoint a Veterans’ Commissioner for England.

Veterans’ Commissioners in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are already dedicated to assisting and advocating for the veteran community.

In 2021, Col (Rtd) David Richmond was appointed as an Independent Veterans Advisor to Government Ministers.

We understand that the Government is now considering changes to the role and believe the Government should introduce a Veterans’ Commissioner for England, to bring consistency to the advocacy and support available to all veterans in the UK.

Join us and sign the petition calling on the UK Government to appoint a Veterans’ Commissioner for England.

Veterans’ Commissioners

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have Veterans’ Commissioners, dedicated to assisting and advocating for the veteran community.

Commissioners play a key public role as an independent advocate and voice for the Armed Forces community.

They provide a crucial bridge between decision makers and the ability to hold them to account on behalf of veterans and their families.

Scottish Veterans’ Commissioner

The Scottish Government appointed the first Scottish Veterans’ Commissioner in 2014. The role is currently held by Lieutenant Commander (Retired) Susie Hamilton.

The Scottish Veterans’ Commissioner’s role as defined by the terms of their appointment is:

“To improve outcomes for veterans in Scotland, by engaging with, listening to, and acting on the experience of veterans, individually and collectively, and to be an ambassador for veterans in Scotland, helping public services focus on veterans’ experience of their service provision.”

The Commissioner produces recommendations to the Scottish Government to improve support for Scotland’s veterans and their families, works closely to implement changes, and reviews the Government’s progress through annual reporting.

Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner

In 2020, Captain (Retired) Danny Kinahan was appointed Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner to provide a ‘strong voice for veterans’.

By January 2023, Mr Kinahan had met with over 500 political representatives at the local and national government level to advocate for the Armed Forces community. The Commissioner’s office assisted 400 veterans in that time and delivered ten ‘Veteran Information Roadshows’ across Northern Ireland.

Welsh Veterans’ Commissioner

Colonel (Retired) James Phillips was appointed Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales in 2022. The Commissioner leads engagement with the veteran community in Wales to understand how services are working in practice and provide ‘the key voice for veterans’.

Through biannual reporting, the Commissioner assesses the delivery of services and support in Wales and makes recommendations to the Welsh and UK Governments.

Establishing a Veterans Commissioner for England

Establishing a Veterans Commissioner for England would mean that veterans across the UK know who to turn to, to be heard at the heart of government.

By signing this petition, you will help us show the UK Government that RBL supporters back a Veterans’ Commissioner for England.

Join our Campaigner Community to hear more about our campaigning work.

If you have any questions, please get in touch at: [email protected].