Recommendation 11

HM Government Acknowledged

MOD was proud to launch the revised ten-year UK Armed Forces Families Strategy (2022– 32) in January 2022. The Strategy and associated Action Plan acknowledge the devolved nature of many public services supporting families and have been developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, including with SG colleagues. We were pleased to receive Keith Brown MSP’s written statement of support in the Strategy opening pages. Regarding education, the Scottish Armed Forces Education Strategy Group (SAFESG), will continue its focus on a wide range of education issues affecting armed forces children, including its work to ensure effective communication about military basing between the single Services and SG. Chaired by SG, the group includes their main stakeholders along with representatives from the single Services. learning at HMNB Clyde. This education focused discussion at SAFESG, along with the engagement of the SAFESG Naval representative, facilitated MOD focused investment in the area (including through MOD Education Support Fund) and localised MOD resources and collaboration with Argyll and Bute Council. The funding provided by MOD enabled the recruitment of Service Pupil Advisors and Additional Support for Learning roles, as part of a package of measures to prepare for and support the transition of Armed Forces children into the area. The planned expansion activity at Leuchars (which will not occur prior to 2029) has been under discussion more recently. MOD’s Education Support Fund has also provided funding for a significant number of similar projects across Scotland, which focus on transition caused by exceptional Armed Forces family mobility. On healthcare, the Defence People Health & Wellbeing Strategy, published in summer 2022, sets out how Defence aims to create, promote and maintain healthy lifestyles for our people. MOD works across policy, delivery and clinical teams to achieve this, including external departments such as DHSC, into NHS and the Devolved Administrations. Governed through the Health Partnership Board, we will continue to work closely with partners in the Devolved Administrations to ensure continuity of care. Where MOD accommodation policy impacts areas of devolved competence, the MOD will continue to engage with its stakeholders to ensure fair and equitable treatment of service personnel across the UK. In 2022 we will set out our Defence Accommodation Strategy that will set the vision of how MOD intends to improve the quality of Defence- provided accommodation, increase sustainability, and ensure the best use of our estate. In terms of practical cooperation on the ground in Scotland, the “Firm Base” will continue its role in collegiately planning transitions – a tri-service construct, currently chaired by the Deputy Commander of 51st Infantry Brigade, with senior representatives from SG, MOD and Local Government. Scotland is divided into a number of ‘battlegroups’ which meet frequently to discuss issues and initiatives which benefit both the Armed Forces Community and the local area and report into the Firm Base.