ADDITIONAL specialist support from government Jobcentres will be available for Armed Forces veterans across Britain to help them find work and access benefits.

The Department for Work and Pensions’ has bolstered its Armed Forces Champions network and it will, for the first time, see every Jobcentre Plus district in the country have a dedicated person to offer tailored support for former services personnel as well as their families.

The network will be made up of 50 local Champions stationed in Jobcentres in England, Scotland and Wales who will support veterans to retrain and apply for work as well as make new benefit claims.

Armed Forces Champions deliver employment support and benefits advice to former servicemen and women, and will have the opportunity to raise awareness of particular issues faced by veterans and their families to Ministers.

Many of the Jobcentre staff who are Armed Forces Champions have previously served in the forces and draw upon their own experiences to help veterans move forward.

Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “The Armed Forces do our country proud and we are forever grateful to them for the sacrifices they make in order to serve our nation.

“It’s not just about recognising that though, veterans offer a range of transferrable skills like no other – they are a gold mine of talent.

“This network will provide specialist one-to-one support to veterans and their families as they take the first steps to find a job and receive the financial support they are entitled to, helping them better readjust to civilian life.”

DWP has had Armed Forces Champions in place for around a decade but crucially the upgraded network will be overseen by 11 Armed Forces Champions Leads - ensuring that training and support offered is consistent across the country.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Doherty said: "This initiative reinforces the importance of inclusivity in the workplace and highlights how veterans can maximise the transferable skills they have gained from service.

"The vast majority of veterans go on to make a huge contribution post service, some do struggle. This extra support today will help them as they transition into civilian life."