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 and 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.

We do not yet have good enough Scotland level data to be able to measure and report progress in a quantitative way, with numbers. That is my hope for the future, once we have data from the 2022 Census and the annual Scottish Household Surveys. What we can do for now is report qualitative progress, on the basis of the evidence and observations which were used to assess progress on SVC recommendations.

This separate report on impact sets out all SVC recommendations fully achieved as at September 2023. Many more have progressed and are showing as partially implemented or implemented but work should continue to embed in my main progress report.

You can view all SVC recommendations fully achieved below.

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An inspiring day of collaboration at last week's #JoiningForces conference, hearing how forces-friendly employers make the most of the talent pool that is the veteran community. 

It was a great opportunity to share good practice and make connections.
An inspiring day of collaboration at last week's #JoiningForces conference, hearing how forces-friendly employers make the most of the talent pool that is the veteran community. It was a great opportunity to share good practice and make connections.
2 days ago
A very interesting couple of days in Inverness, meeting veteran prison officers and prisoners in HMP Inverness, and speaking to members of the Highland Armed Forces & Veterans Community Covenant Partnership. There's some great work going on in and around the Highland capital.
A very interesting couple of days in Inverness, meeting veteran prison officers and prisoners in HMP Inverness, and speaking to members of the Highland Armed Forces & Veterans Community Covenant Partnership. There's some great work going on in and around the Highland capital.
1 week ago
Yesterday I visited @SSAFA Perth and Kinross's Inside Out exhibition, showcasing art by veterans in Perth and Castle Huntly Prisons. The self-tutored veterans have created impressive work which was being sold in aid of @ssafaofficial, which supports veterans in prison and their families outside.
Yesterday I visited @SSAFA Perth and Kinross's Inside Out exhibition, showcasing art by veterans in Perth and Castle Huntly Prisons. The self-tutored veterans have created impressive work which was being sold in aid of @ssafaofficial, which supports veterans in prison and their families outside.
1 week ago
A great night at the Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards, recognising the achievements of veterans in the business world. 

It was a pleasure celebrating the remarkable talent of our community and hearing about the successes of the finalists and winners, including Professor Geri Matthews-Smith, pictured - founder and director of the Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement - who was named Advocate of the Year.

Well done to all 🏆
A great night at the Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards, recognising the achievements of veterans in the business world. It was a pleasure celebrating the remarkable talent of our community and hearing about the successes of the finalists and winners, including Professor Geri Matthews-Smith, pictured - founder and director of the Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement - who was named Advocate of the Year. Well done to all 🏆
1 week ago
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