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Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill to explore complaints, protected characteristics, housing and healthcare

16 March 2021

This week the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill will hold two evidence sessions, continuing its scrutiny of the Armed Forces Bill 2021.

On Wednesday 17 March, at 9.30, the Committee will hold its first evidence session of the week, exploring the Bill’s provisions on the Service Justice Reform and focusing on the Service Complaints system and the Bill’s impact on people with protected characteristics. The Committee will hear from those closely involved in the complaints system, including the former Service Complaints Ombudsman Nicola Williams.

On Thursday 18 March, at 15.30, the Committee will explore housing and healthcare provisions for service personnel and veterans and will speak to representatives from the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

Witnesses

Wednesday 17 March 2021

At 9.30am:

  • Nicola Williams, former Service Complaints Ombudsman

At 10am:

  • Emma Norton, Centre for Military Justice

  • Tony Wright, Forward Assist

  • Dame Vera Baird, Victims’ Commissioner

At 10.45am:

  • Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Diane Allen OBE

  • Caroline Paige, Joint Chief Executive, Fighting with Pride

  • Craig Jones MBE, Joint Chief Executive, Fighting with Pride

  • David McMullen, Citizenship 4 Soldiers

Thursday 18 March 2021

At 3.30pm:

  • Ray Lock CBE, Chief Executive, Forces in Mind Trust

  • Professor Catherine Kinane, Medical Director, Combat Stress

  • Dr Felix Davies, Operations Director, Combat Stress

At 4pm:

  • David Brewer, Chief Operating Officer, Defence Infrastructure Organisation

  • Tim Redfern, Managing Director, Amey Defence Service

At 5pm:

  • Hannah Blythyn MS, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Welsh Government

  • Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, Scottish Government

Further information

Image: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2019