In monitoring progress in the delivery of SVC recommendations to the Scottish Government it is important to consider the impact on those I aim to support, namely veterans and their families. Their lives should benefit from the changing policy and practices that result from these recommendations.

The action necessary to make things better can be complex, often calling for joined-up thinking and collaboration across different agencies. Change doesn’t happen overnight but we are starting to see real improvement. That is down to the effort of many individuals and organisations who have got behind the recommendations and worked together to influence and deliver change. That should be acknowledged and celebrated. This separate report on impact sets out all SVC recommendations made between 2015 and 2018 which were fully achieved as at September 2026. Many more have been progressed and are showing as partially implemented or implemented but work has continued to embed them in my main progress report through the outcome focussed recommendations that have been made since 2020.

You can view all SVC recommendations fully achieved below.

Browse previous recommendations

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Bereaved veterans and families should not have to search across different websites to find help.

@beyondthewireuk's new interactive Bereavement Hub brings clear information and support together in one place.

Thank you to the staff and volunteers who support the bereaved military community.

Find out more about the hub or read our Support for the Bereaved Community report via the link in our bio.

#Veterans #ArmedForces #ScottishVeterans #BeyondtheWire
Bereaved veterans and families should not have to search across different websites to find help. @beyondthewireuk's new interactive Bereavement Hub brings clear information and support together in one place. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who support the bereaved military community. Find out more about the hub or read our Support for the Bereaved Community report via the link in our bio. #Veterans #ArmedForces #ScottishVeterans #BeyondtheWire
6 hours ago
New Scottish Government, same message from me: progress needs to speed up.
 
Today I've published my 2026 Progress Report, checking on how well the Scottish Government is delivering for veterans and their families. Some encouraging steps forward on housing and gambling harm support - but a slowdown overall, and continued concerns on veteran employment, healthcare access and mental health support.
 
More progress at a faster pace is going to be required to make Scotland the destination of choice for Service leavers, veterans and their families.
 
Full news release can be found in the bio.
 
Veterans | Scottish Veterans | Armed Forces | Veterans Commissioner | Support Our Veterans
New Scottish Government, same message from me: progress needs to speed up. Today I've published my 2026 Progress Report, checking on how well the Scottish Government is delivering for veterans and their families. Some encouraging steps forward on housing and gambling harm support - but a slowdown overall, and continued concerns on veteran employment, healthcare access and mental health support. More progress at a faster pace is going to be required to make Scotland the destination of choice for Service leavers, veterans and their families. Full news release can be found in the bio. Veterans | Scottish Veterans | Armed Forces | Veterans Commissioner | Support Our Veterans
5 days ago
Great to catch up with Peter Gibson, CEO of @fightingwithpride to hear about the charity's plans to further support the LGBT veteran community in Scotland.

Reminder: the Financial Recognition Scheme for LGBT veterans affected by the historical ban closes on 12 December.

Find out more via the link in our bio. 

Veterans | LGBT Veterans | Veterans Commissioner
Great to catch up with Peter Gibson, CEO of @fightingwithpride to hear about the charity's plans to further support the LGBT veteran community in Scotland. Reminder: the Financial Recognition Scheme for LGBT veterans affected by the historical ban closes on 12 December. Find out more via the link in our bio. Veterans | LGBT Veterans | Veterans Commissioner
6 days ago
I spent the day at the RAND Europe Stakeholder Workshop on Future Views of Mental Health. 

Funders, service providers and stakeholders in one room, thinking through what mental health need and provision could look like over the next 20 years. Really valuable conversations - grateful to have been part of it.

Mental Health | RANDEurope | Future Of Healthcare | Armed Forces | Veterans
I spent the day at the RAND Europe Stakeholder Workshop on Future Views of Mental Health. Funders, service providers and stakeholders in one room, thinking through what mental health need and provision could look like over the next 20 years. Really valuable conversations - grateful to have been part of it. Mental Health | RANDEurope | Future Of Healthcare | Armed Forces | Veterans
1 week ago
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