Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed veterans to 10 Downing Street ahead of Remembrance Sunday. Image: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
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Prime minister Keir Starmer has promised homeless veterans will be protected with ‘homes for heroes’ as he hosted ex-forces personnel and charities ahead of Remembrance Day.
The government has committed £3.5m to veterans’ homelessness support programmes running until 2026.
Starmer made the announcement as defence secretary John Healey and veterans minister Alastair Carns joined him in a reception for veterans on Friday (8 November) before the country will mark Remembrance Sunday over the weekend.
The prime minister met veterans and their families at Downing Street to hear about their experiences and reiterate the government’s commitment to supporting veterans for the long term. On Sunday, he will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in central London.
“Veterans represent the very best of our country, and we must honour their sacrifices,” said Starmer. “When I came into office, I promised that I would serve our heroes as they have served us. That is the least they deserve given the sacrifices they have made, and it is why this government is ensuring homes will be there for heroes across the UK. They have done so much to secure our safety it is only right they have security of their own.”
“As the country comes together this weekend, we pay solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the values and freedoms that we enjoy.”
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The £3.5m funding will ensure wraparound service to support homeless veterans, such as the reducing veteran homelessness programme and Op Fortitude will continue to provide specialist support for securing employment, independent living and dealing with mental health challenges.
Op Fortitude is a dedicated pathway for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness to get into supported housing or to keep them in their current home.
The service, operated by housing association Riverside, runs a hotline for homeless veterans in need of support. The Big Issue was told the hotline was in great demand when it launched in July last year.
Veteran Arnold (left) and Riverside’s Lee Buss-Blair (right), a homelessness expert as well as a veteran himself, outside 10 Downing Street. Image: Riverside
Lee Buss-Blair, director of operations and group veteran lead, at Riverside, said: “We welcome the continuation of funding for Op Fortitude and veteran’s supported housing.
“As we think about the servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, we also have an important duty to think about what more we can do to improve the lives of those who served and survived.
“The hard-won gains that have been achieved since the launch of Op Fortitude can now be built upon through 2025 and into 2026.”
The government has previously promised ‘homes for heroes’ by making veterans exempt from rules which require a local area connection to access social housing.
The MInistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is set to hold a roundtable with local authorities, veteran charities and housing providers to bring the changes.
Labour also made a manifesto commitment to renew the nation’s contract with people who served in the forces. The government has pledged to put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law.
Defence secretary Healey said: “Our nation is deeply proud of the veterans who have served the country. Theirs is the ultimate public service. Our armed forces and veterans will always have our fullest support.
“As a government we are committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve. We are extending the support for veterans to ensure that those who need it get the housing support they deserve.
“As we come together as a nation this weekend, we honour all those who have served and fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Typically, between 3% and 4% of the homeless population around the UK are veterans, according to estimates.
Brewer and his late brother both served in the forces and he told the Big Issue the gesture was a way to give back for the support they received.
“The RAF Benevolent Fund has given me grants and stuff to help me through quite difficult times,” said Brewer, who is currently sofa surfing at his partner’s home. “They’re just brilliant people there to help you. SSAFA have supplied me with boots, sleeping bags and tents because I’ve spent quite a few years on the streets.”
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