This Armed Forces Day, as Shadow Veterans Minister, I am proud to take a look back at some of the people I have met and the campaigns Labour has championed alongside our former service personnel in the last 365 days.
It has been amazing to travel across the country – from Forward Assist in Newcastle to Haigh Housing in Surrey – to meet with veteran organisations, groups and ex-personnel themselves. Listening to their voices and experiences at grassroots level has been invaluable.
It’s been an honour to campaign alongside nuclear veterans & their families. On the 70th year since the nuclear tests, it’s shameful that we remain the only country not to recognise those who put their lives & health at risk to conduct the tests. Labour would award them medals.
Veterans also deserve better mental health support. Though most can look positively upon their time in the Forces, too many still are being left to deal with complex issues alone. Last year, Labour announced that we would boost support by £35m.
Likewise, anyone who has experienced ill-health as a result of their service must receive appropriate compensation. However, thousands of veterans are struggling to claim what they are owed through Veterans UK. This issue must be highlighted until Ministers take action.
During the Armed Forces Bill, Labour colleagues & I fought to apply the Covenant to central Govt. Instead, the Tories chose to outsource responsibility for veterans to local authorities & other public bodies, all whilst absolving ministers of the same responsibility.
Ministers must also take more action to resolve issues with veteran housing and homelessness. The Government have a target to end veteran rough sleeping by 2024, but have dedicated no specific resources to making that goal a reality.
The Labour Party, Dan Jarvis MP and service charities have long campaigned for an end to visa fees for Non-UK veterans. The news that those who have served six years will have fees waived is a huge victory, but we must go further. We would reduce this to four years & include dependents.
It’s important we continue to stand up for the survivors of military sexual assault. Labour would move cases of rape from being heard in military to civilian courts – taking seriously the principal recommendations of the ‘Women in the Armed Forces’ report. See my article on this here: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/09/women-military-bullying-assault-sexual-armed-forces-courts
Our Armed Forces wouldn’t exist without the immense contribution of all those who have served. As such, veterans deserve to be placed right at the heart of our Defence plans as they return to civilian life.
I will continue to use my position to ensure this becomes a reality.