Today, Leigh and Atherton MP – Jo Platt – attended the launch of the new Northern VALOUR scheme at the Imperial War Museum.
Announced in May 2025, VALOUR is a new nationwide programme designed to improve access to essential care and support for veterans across the UK. Led by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs within the Ministry of Defence, the initiative aims to better coordinate services at every level – national, regional, and local – ensuring that veterans receive the help they need.
VALOUR consists of three key components: a central HQ within the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to inform policy with data and insight; a network of support centres providing streamlined access to services; and regional field officers who will work with local authorities, public services, and charities to strengthen collaboration on the ground.
Jo Platt said: “I was proud to stand with veterans at today’s Northern VALOUR pilot launch. The scheme is a bold, practical step towards improving how we support veterans and their families across the North. It was great to join fellow MPs from across the region, alongside local authority leaders, Mayoral teams and Veterans Minister – Alistair Carns.
“VALOUR will help fix the fragmented support system veterans have been struggling with for years. I’m especially pleased that veterans themselves, local authorities and the third sector are all being put at the heart of shaping how this programme develops.
“The Minister even hot-footed it over to Wigan to visit the brilliant Armed Forces Community HQ CIC – and caught up with Leigh veteran Eric, who I had the pleasure of meeting a few months ago.
“Thanks to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Wigan Council and to our partners across West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Liverpool City Region. I’ll be working hard to make sure Leigh’s voice is heard as this project grows.”