'Veterans deserve a more joined-up approach to care'

AN OVERWHELMING majority of people want the Ministry of Defence to work more in partnerships with military charities.

A total of 70 per cent of 3,000 polled in a new survey say they want to see a more "joined-up" approach to helping ex-service personnel. And 75 per cent believe politicians should learn more about the issues facing the country's veterans.

The poll was carried out by veterans charity Erskine.

Its chief executive, Major Jim Panton, said: "This survey shows just how much the Armed Forces and the welfare of our veterans means to voters. There is real evidence emerging that highlights an improvement in focus on veterans affairs by both Westminster and the Scottish Government but there is clearly still a long way go to convince the public of this."

Erskine has been working with the MoD since August 2009 with the opening of the first Army Recovery Centre for soldiers injured while on duty.