Defence Online

London VAPC welcomes new armed forces champion

Homeland July 24, 2019

London VAPC has welcomed London Assembly Member Len Duvall as informal Armed Forces Champion.

Len Duvall’s appointment has been praised by the London VAPC (Veteran’s Advisory and Pensions Committee) as Armed Forces Champion as part of an Updated Armed Forces Covenant signed by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. The new covenant aims to support veterans and improve measures dealing with housing, welfare, and rough sleeping.

Sadiq Khan has committed to collecting data on issues such as rough sleeping to help understand the scale of the issue. The role will involve chairing roundtables with stakeholders on behalf of the Mayor of London.

Vice-chairman of London VAPC Jim Blake said: “We’re pleased to see the Greater London Authority (GLA) reaffirm its commitment to the Armed Forces’ Covenant.”

“The news that Len Duvall has been appointed as the GLA’s informal armed force’s champion is also very welcome. I’ve already been to a first meeting at County Hall and spoken with him. His commitment and enthusiasm are evident and we’re very pleased he has taken on this role. We hope that, eventually, the role can become formal.”

In 2016 the VAPC commissioned the report ‘Homeless Veterans in London: Investigating Housing Responsibilities’ from the University of Kent. The report detailed the need for an Armed Forces Champion.

The report has since been updated twice, most recently following a workshop on housing policy held by London VAPC in June of this year. Len Duvall contributed to the report along with interested organisations, London local authorities, GLA members, and charities.

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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.