The Defence Secretary has committed in Parliament to counting armed forces veterans in the next decennial census…

Gavin Williamson made the commitment during Defence Questions after Labour’s Mary Creagh pressed him on a recommendation from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

She said: “Veterans Assistance UK estimate there are 13,000 homeless veterans. They’re guaranteed priority access to social housing under the armed forces covenant, but it’s impossible to know that unless they are counted in the census.

“So will he commit here today to count armed forces and veterans on the census, as recommended by the Office for National Statistics?”

Mr Williamson replied: “I thank her for highlighting that and I can assure her that, yes, we will do.”