On the 10th November 2022, the Office for National Statistics released detailed univariate data from the 2021 Census covering the theme of ‘UK Armed Forces Veterans’.

UK Armed Forces Veterans

Previously Served in UK Armed Forces (Person) Previously Served in UK Armed Forces (Household) Previously Served in Households and Communal Establishments Household Reference Person Indicator

Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) Middle Super Output Area (MSOA)

AThe data can be accessed on the Data Observatory via the updated Population Profile or via the Data Explorer.

To find out more about how to view this data in the Data Observatory please see our dedicated UK Armed Forces Veterans Update

You can also access the data directly from the ONS website HERE

Summary Infographic: UK Armed Forces Veterans

• On Census Day, 21 March 2021, 10,079 Hull residents reported that they had previously served in the UK armed forces
• This is equivalent to 4.7% of the local 16 + population, compared to 3.8% nationally
• Of the UK armed forces veterans in Hull, 7,347 previously served in the regular forces, 2,189 in the reserve forces, and 543 served in both the regular and reserve forces
• 187 UK armed forces veterans in Hull lived in communal establishments
• This is equivalent to 1.9% of veterans in Hull, compared to 2.0% nationally
• There were 9,571 households in Hull with one or more persons who had served in the UK armed forces
• This is equivalent to 8.3% of households in Hull, compared to 7.0% nationally

2021 Census Map: UK Armed Forces Veterans (MSOA)

The Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the Nation to those who serve or who have served, and their families, are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day to day lives. It is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

Find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant here

The Armed Forces Covenant Act 2021 introduced a new Statutory Duty in November 2022 to help prevent the armed forces community (including serving, ex-service and their families) being disadvantaged. It is designed to ensure that issues that impact on their day-to-day lives are considered as part of public sector decision making.

The act places a new statutory duty on all Public Bodies including Local Authorities, to show ‘due regard’ in the provision of three areas which are most likely to impact serving and former members of the armed forces community: Education, Healthcare, and Public Sector Housing.

Armed Forces Covenant Duty National Statutory Guidance

In Hull, we have developed Hull’s Armed Forces and Veterans’ Charter Support for Armed Forces personnel and veterans:

Hull City Council support for Armed Forces personnel and veterans

Hull City Council has signed up to Hull’s Armed Forces and Veterans’ Charter which aims to complement the Government’s Covenant and encourages local support. It has four key pathways:

• Pathway 1 – Housing and related support
• Pathway 2 – Health and Wellbeing
• Pathway 3 – Supporting and Advising Veterans
• Pathway 4 – Employment, Education, Training and Self Employment

For more information about how your service can help veterans and their families, contact Maxine.hunter@hullcc.gov.uk

A veteran’s survey from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the Office for National Statistics has launched nationally. This is the first ever exercise to collect feedback from the veteran’s community across the UK. The online survey, which closes in January 2023, gives ex-UK Armed Forces personnel and their families the opportunity to provide direct feedback to the government on their experiences, access to and use of services for veterans. Responses to the survey will help the government better understand the experiences, needs and wellbeing of the veteran community, and to guide future action. Please complete if you have served, and share.

Complete the veteran’s survey

Definition of the Armed Forces Community

• Regular Personnel: Currently serving; Royal Navy, Royal Air Force
• Merchant Navy: (in the Hull Charter); served for at least one day on active service
• Reservists: Volunteer Reservists and Regular Reservists
• Veterans: Served for at least one day, Regular or Reservist
• Families: Immediate family: spouses, civil or other partners, children for whom the veteran or partner are responsible
• Bereaved: Immediate family; Services Personnel/Veterans have died
• Carers: Carer for Service Personnel and Veterans