OPINION

       Carol Betteridge is a director of Help for Heroes (Image: Help for Heroes)

       I have seen first-hand the devastating impact of conflict. In 2011, it was my honour to Command the military hospital in Helmand during the Afghanistan war, treating our wounded on the front line. There, we were able to meet the immediate needs of those who came in through our doors – but we knew that for many, their lives had changed forever. Injuries, trauma, mental scars – these do not always fade when Service ends, and our duty to support those who have given us their Service does not end when the plane lands back in the UK.

       Today, as deputy services director at Help for Heroes, a charity dedicated to ensuring all veterans live well after service, I see a different battle – veterans battling for the fair compensation and financial support they deserve, but do not automatically receive. And the worry within our charity is that the widespread welfare cuts announced this week by the UK Government may hit many of the veterans who would benefit most from support.

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       This isn’t just about those injured in conflict. Even in peacetime, service comes at a cost, both physical and psychologically. Every day, five people are medically discharged from the UK armed forces, leaving behind a career they have dedicated their lives to due to injury or illness.

       Many of these men and women live with lifelong physical and mental conditions, including PTSD, chronic pain and mobility issues. As we are now living in an uncertain environment and world unrest, that figure is likely set to rise, at a time when already the needs of many veterans are not being met.

       Around a third of veterans are classified as disabled in England and Wales, a number likely under-reported, and already higher than the general population. But these aren’t just statistics, they represent individuals who have given years to service, only to face new battles once they return to civilian life.

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       As a society, we have a duty to care for them, but instead of being supported by the system, they are often forced to jump through endless hoops of bureaucracy and red tape.

       By far one of the most absurd examples is veteran amputees made to “prove” they are still disabled every two years just to keep their benefits. As if their condition might somehow improve.

       When the Government announced its recent overhaul to the welfare system, it said it would end repeated Personal Independence Payment – or PIP – reassessments for the most seriously injured, which if done right, could be a step forward.

       However, within this package of benefit reforms also lies the tightening of PIP eligibility, threatening to strip away a vital lifeline for many, which may be especially difficult for veterans who need mental health support.

       Mental health issues are often given less consideration compared with physical health issues, but they can be just as devastating. According to research, there are over 700,000 former serving personnel who find their mental health challenging – and the real figure is surely higher, as we know that many veterans delay seeking help due to stigma and pride.

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       Stricter rules could shut them out completely, leaving the charity sector to pick up the pieces. It is therefore no surprise that at Help for Heroes, our helpline is already receiving calls from veterans and their families worried what this means for them and their future.

       The Government says these reforms are about getting more people back into work.

       Many want to work, for the sense of purpose it brings, they want to give back to society but need the right support to do so.

       Let’s remember, these are highly skilled, disciplined men and women who have dedicated their lives to service. If we expect them to risk everything for their country, we must ensure their country is there for them when they most need it.

       The public understand that veterans deserve to be treated better by the system.

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       More than 170,000 people have already backed our campaign calling for unfair barriers to financial support to be removed.

       The Government has a chance to work with military charities like Help for Heroes, and the wider disability sector, to deliver real change, putting those affected at the heart of decisions. This should not be another battle our heroes have to fight.

       Carol Betteridge is a director of Help for Heroes and ran the field hospital in Helmand Province during British presence in Afghanistan