An MP has called for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to the administration of services for veterans.
Louise Bagshawe (Con, Corby) led an adjournment debate on UK veterans, calling for a "fully fledged veterans administration".
She praised the steps taken by the government so far, with its plan to enshrine the military covenant in law, and hailed both the work of the Royal British Legion and the "plethora" of other charities working to support veterans.
But Bagshawe said: "It is shameful that our veterans rely so greatly on voluntary bodies and on charitable giving."
The MP for Corby said that the UK was the only country in the English-speaking world not to have a dedicated department of state for veterans affairs.
She urged the government to establish "a fully fledged veterans administration", telling MPs: "Our veterans need things to be done differently."
Bagshawe said that had she won the ballot on private Members' Bills, she would have introduced legislation making it illegal to discriminate against a member of Her Majesty's forces on the grounds that he or she is wearing the Queen's uniform.
She called for a drive, led by the government, on cultural change towards the armed forces.
Replying for the government, Andrew Robathan said he preferred the term "ex-servicemen" to "veterans", because it "highlights exactly what they have done: they have served their country in a way which is quite unique".
"The nation and the government have a moral obligation to care for those who have made a commitment by joining the armed forces," former SAS officer Robathan said.
But he added: "Organisations and structures are only a means to an end, and what matters is how we can best help each individual."
The minister said that his role was to make sure that ex-servicemen and women were treated correctly across government, and "not pigeonholed".
He concluded: "We are determined to treat them with dignity and respect and to reflect the huge debt that we all owe to all of them. It is our moral duty to do so."
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