Mayor launches new partnership to provide better support for veterans in Liverpool City Region

MAYOR Steve Rotheram today paid tribute to our Armed Forces as he launched a new scheme to provide better support to veterans in the Liverpool City Region.

The City Region is joining Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire in delivering the Northern Pathfinder of the VALOUR programme, which is a new network offering veterans easier access to care and support and with Regional networks connecting veterans with housing, employment and health services.

Backed by £50m of funding, VALOUR is part of the Government's commitment to people who have served, better connecting local and national services to ensure veterans are supported and ensuring veterans' support is truly data driven.

To support the delivery of VALOUR, the Mayor today launched the LCR Armed Forces Covenant Partnership which will bring together third sector and other organisations to develop and test the City Region's services for veterans.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram said:- "We've always had a deep-rooted respect for our Armed Forces in the Liverpool City Region and the sacrifices they make. That's reflected in the incredible work of our veterans' charities, our local networks, and the unwavering commitment of our Councils and other public service providers through the Armed Forces Covenant. VALOUR will give us a chance to build on that strong foundation; working hand in hand with Government and partners across the North to deliver better, more joined-up support for those who've served."

Support is already available to veterans, delivered by a range of effective providers, however the current system can be difficult to navigate. VALOUR will offer improved coordination at local and national level which should better meet veterans' needs and avoid duplication.

Alongside creating VALOUR, the Government has announced it will extend the Armed Forces Covenant Duty.

The current duty relates to health, housing and education and requires local authorities, NHS bodies, and Schools to consider the needs of the Armed Forces community in their decision-making.

This will now be extended to more aspects of veterans lives such as the needs of Armed Forces families and it will apply to more organisations, including:- central Government departments.

The LCR Covenant Partnership will also support organisations to better embed this new duty.

Are we getting a little too car-ried away? More than 3 quarters in the North West admit reaching for the car keys for journeys that are a short walk away

Although 39% of people in the Region agree that buses reduce congestion, more than 3 quarters of those asked admit to using their car for trips that would take 20 minutes to walk.

Despite buses accounting for ⅔ of all public transport journeys in the UK, there remains lingering misconceptions about the speed, convenience, comfort and cost of bus travel.

Matt said:- "Today's services often have dedicated bus lanes to glide past traffic, and with real-time tracking apps, you can plan your journey down to the minute, removing the guesswork of:- 'when will it arrive?' They also come equipped with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and USB charging ports; allowing you to catch up on emails, scroll through social media, or simply relax whilst someone else handles the driving and parking stress. Using a bus could also save an average of £380 on fuel a year, while also removing additional costs such as costs such as parking, maintenance, tax and insurance."

But beyond this, the humble bus also connects communities, linking homes with Schools, shops, Hospitals, and workplaces.:- "There's no circling for parking, no stress about traffic fines or drink-driving limits. You just step on, sit down, and arrive refreshed," added Matt.

Ready to give bus travel a try? Visit the Stagecoach website to explore routes and plan your journey.

This Catch the Bus Month, download the Stagecoach app for real-time updates and easy ticket purchasing, and discover how choosing the bus can change your daily commute.

Survey conducted with:- 2,000 UK adults between:- 21 and 27 August 2025.

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