The Ministry of Defence has confirmed record public investment in veteran support alongside the Armed Forces Bill’s Commons Second Reading on 26 January 2026. The announcement cites more than 1.8 million veterans across the UK as beneficiaries of expanded services spanning health, housing and employment, anchored in a commitment to put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law. (gov.uk)
The Armed Forces Bill 2024–26 is scheduled for Second Reading in the House of Commons on Monday 26 January 2026, with Parliament’s published order of business listing the debate. The Bill renews the Armed Forces Act 2006 and advances Covenant commitments; subsequent stages are programmed following Second Reading. (whatson.parliament.uk)
Government documentation outlines measures expected within the Bill package: extending the Armed Forces Covenant legal duty to additional policy areas and central government, establishing a Defence Housing Service, creating new powers relating to drone activity around defence sites, and service justice changes. These are framed as part of a five‑year renewal cycle for the 2006 Act. (gov.uk)
Spending routed through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) within the Ministry of Defence is set to rise from £11.6 million in 2023/24 to almost £37 million committed in 2025/26, trebling support capacity. The OVA’s remit is to coordinate delivery with devolved administrations, local government, the NHS and the charity sector from within the MOD. (gov.uk)
A £50 million, three‑year programme called VALOUR is the main driver of the uplift. VALOUR will accredit local centres that co‑locate advice on health, housing and employment, with scope to include finance, welfare and community integration; the MOD reports 65 area bids so far. Guidance indicates phased roll‑out from pilots to a national network during 2026. (gov.uk)
Ministers have allocated a further £12 million to tackle veteran homelessness, including through Op FORTITUDE, the central referral pathway that connects veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness to housing and wrap‑around support. The commitment sits alongside the government’s National Plan to End Homelessness, which confirms multi‑year backing for veteran‑specific programmes. (gov.uk)
On health, the Department of Health and Social Care plans record spending of £38 million in 2025/26 on veteran‑specific services in England. Provision includes Op COURAGE for mental health and Op RESTORE for complex physical health needs, alongside a new NHS training programme to improve armed‑forces‑aware care across trusts. (gov.uk)
Employment support is being expanded through Op ASCEND, a free careers advice service delivered by the Forces Employment Charity. Government figures state 420 employers are engaged and 4,600 veterans and family members have signed up, complementing existing resettlement services and sector pathways. (gov.uk)
Restorative work for LGBT veterans affected by the pre‑2000 ban continues. Ministers report more than £35 million has been paid to date under a Financial Recognition Scheme with £75 million ringfenced; the application window runs until 12 December 2026 and payments are exempt from income tax under 2025 regulations. (gov.uk)
Digital access is being widened via the HM Armed Forces digital Veteran Card, issued through the GOV.UK One Login app to streamline proof of service and access to services and concessions. Government says the digital credential complements the physical card and will be extended to veterans overseas. (gov.uk)
Implications for delivery are immediate. Local authorities and combined authorities should prepare for an expanded Covenant legal duty if enacted, aligning housing allocations and homelessness pathways with Op FORTITUDE. Integrated Care Systems should confirm referral routes into Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE and reflect veteran status in patient records. Organisations that submitted bids to the VALOUR development fund before the 14 January 2026 deadline should now plan governance, data‑sharing and co‑location models ahead of centre accreditation decisions. (gov.uk)