WAR PENSIONS AGENCY BUSINESS PLAN 1999-2000
The War Pensioners' Welfare Service
14. The future of the War Pensioners' Welfare
Service will be examined in the current Prior Options Review.[39]
The War Pensioners' Welfare Service (WPWS) was set up in 1948
when it was deemed that the responsibilities of the Ministry of
Pensions did not cease with the award of a war pension. Welfare
Officers were appointed to offer practical help with problems
experienced by war pensioners. Today the Service gives advice,
information and assistance on any matter which concerns war pensioners
and widows. It provides a professional and confidential visiting
service and advice days and surgeries are held throughout the
country.[40]
The service provided is highly valued. SSAFA told the Committee
that:
"The War Pensioners'
Welfare Service (WPWS) is an absolutely essential element of WPA,
keeping in touch with the Pensioners and Widows and providing
assistance and advice when required...We view the WPWS as one
of the key elements of the service provided by the WPA and we
believe that [the] partnership with the volunteers in the ex-Service
community is an important ingredient."[41]
The Chief Executive agreed with this comment describing
the WPWS as "an excellent service as far as I am concerned
and we would want to continue to provide that excellent service."[42]
15. There are some concerns about the future of the
War Pensioners' Welfare Service. The War Widows' Association was
anxious to be assured that the Welfare Service would not be hindered
in its work by financial constraints and that ways of improving
the quality and scope of the service would be investigated.[43]
We welcome the fact that the War Pensions Agency's memorandum
identifies "the continued development of the Welfare Service"
as a specific initiative in the context of "Putting Service
First." Mr Burnham, the Acting Operations Director, emphasised
the partnership between the Agency and the ex-service organisations
in the Welfare Service: "Collectively we can deliver a much
better service than we can individually."[44]
Mr Burnham acknowledged that there may be lessons to be learned
from the welfare services provided by the fire and police services.[45]
The British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association expressed concerns
that the Welfare Service might be absorbed by the work of voluntary
organisations.[46]
It is clear to us that the current review of the work of the
War Pensions Agency should take into consideration the high value
which is placed on the work of the Welfare Service. In addition,
we recommend that the Agency should seek to draw on the experience
of the fire and police services in the continued development of
the War Pensioners' Welfare Service.
39 Q 66. Back
40
Ev. p.3, para.1.13, 1.12; see also para. 1.10. Back
41
Appendix 1. Back
42
Q 66. Back
43
Appendix 2, para. 3. Back
44
Q 69. Back
45
Q 70. Back
46
Appendix 4, para.6. Back
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