ABERCONWY MP, Robin Millar, is urging veterans to have their say by participating in the UK Government’s first UK-wide survey for ex-servicemen and women and their families.

In the next 10 weeks, veterans across throughout the United Kingdom can complete the survey that seeks to identify how veterans’ services can be improved in the future.

Funded and commissioned by the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, this is the first exercise to collect feedback from the entire veteran community across the UK.

This survey, in collaboration with the Office for National Statistics (ONS), will ask veterans to describe their experiences of being a veteran and of using government services.

This will ensure that the government can adapt services to better meet the needs of veterans and their families.

The survey can be completed online.

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Urging veterans to complete the survey, he said: “In the census that was published last month it was revealed that six per cent of residents of Conwy County are veterans meaning that our county is home to the highest proportion of veterans in Wales.

“I am determined to do all that I can to support our veterans and I am proud to be taking my Private Members Bill, the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (Reform) Bill, through Parliament.

“I share the pride felt by so many residents in the invaluable work of our local veterans charities such as Military Minds, Blind Veterans UK, Llandudno’s Troop Café and SSAFA.

“This survey is an important opportunity to identify how services for veterans and their families can be improved and I would encourage all ex-servicemen and women, and their families, to share their experiences and their suggestions.”

Minister for veterans’ affairs, Johnny Mercer MP, said: “Public services need to reflect the people they serve and so it’s really important we hear from veterans on their experiences in accessing support.

“No one knows better what it’s like to be a veteran in Britain than ex-military themselves. So, I urge all ex-service personnel to take the small amount of time to fill in the first ever Veterans’ Survey.

“Your voice can help shape stepped-up services for veterans.”

The launch of the survey comes alongside the release of the ONS’s Census 2021 data on the veteran population in England and Wales.

Last year was the first time a question about someone’s military service was included in the census.

The new ONS figures released today show that there were 1.85million people in England and Wales who reported that they had previously served in the Armed Forces.