'You can hold me to it!': Minister pledges to end homelessness among armed forces veterans this year

22 February 2023, 08:41 | Updated: 22 February 2023, 08:43

Johnny Mercer doesn't want to see a 'single' involuntarily sleeping rough homeless veteran

EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

A Government Minister has vowed to end homelessness amongst Armed Forces veterans this year.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer made the pledge while speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast.

"I tell you what, Nick, we are going to end Veterans' homelessness this year, through a project called Op Fortitude," explaining the project would end rough sleeping among military veterans.

Mr Mercer told Nick the number of homeless ex-forces personal was not as high as people think they are saying the issue is "manageable."

"There should not be any veterans involuntarily sleeping rough in this country by the end of this year, and you can hold me to that!"

Read more: Shamima Begum to find out if she will be allowed back in the UK

Read more: Former Sainsbury’s boss says UK shops have been ‘hurt horribly by Brexit’ as shelves lie empty with fruit and veg rationed

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs recently announced Op Fortitude, a single referral scheme for homeless veterans to access support and housing. Along with more than £8.5 million in funding for services in veterans-supported housing, the scheme will support ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2023.

The most recent rough sleeping figures for London, the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (Chain), found 5% of the people counted on the streets of the English capital had an armed forces background.

But the government’s rough sleeping strategy, published in September 2022, revealed 6% of UK nationals who were street homeless served in the armed forces, according to the government’s national questionnaire on the subject.

Government estimates suggest there are 2.4 million veterans in the UK and reports suggest only a small minority of veterans become homeless.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Politicians 'must be able to question judicial decisions' amid row over 'activist judges,' Priti Patel tells LBC

Politicians 'must be able to question judicial decisions,' Priti Patel tells LBC amid row over 'activist judges'

Exclusive
Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' as Israeli President labels 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’.

Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' says President, labelling 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joins farmers and their tractors at Belmont Farm in north London

Farage urges farmers to 'keep the pressure up' as tractor protest hits Westminster over Labour’s ‘family farm tax’

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

Parish councillor resigns after being accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet cat

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

‘It made me feel physically sick’: Cat owner’s fury at parish councillor accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet

Nick Ferrari Reflects on an Unforgettable Journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust Survivor Arek Hersh

Nick Ferrari reflects on an unforgettable journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Exclusive
Online extremism under scrutiny: The Prime Minister calls for tougher regulations to curb access to violent content following the Southport murders.

Terrorism ‘kill guides’ shared in social media groups targeting 'loners' and people 'obsessed with violence'

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Exclusive
The Chagos Islands deal is set to be a 'disaster' for US-UK relations, a former Home Secretary has said

'Surrender' of Chagos Islands to Mauritius would be 'disaster' for Labour's relationship with Trump, Braverman says

Exclusive
Britain's deal to cede the Chagos Islands has been cast into doubt

Labour deal to hand over Chagos Islands thrown into doubt as Starmer gives Trump time to 'consider' agreement

Exclusive
The UK and Mauritius said they have made "good progress" on a revised agreement, with Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam claiming the UK wants it finalised before Donald Trump is sworn in as president on January 20.

UK 'mid negotiation' over Chagos deal as government deny they're rushing deal through before Trump takes office

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves faces growing scrutiny as market jitters spark calls for fiscal clarity

Rachel Reeves faces growing pressure as market turmoil raises questions over Labour's fiscal credibility

Exclusive
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign