Wednesday 29 June 2022

Newspaper column 29 June 2022 - Armed Forces Day and support for our veterans

 

We recently saw Armed Forces Week, the chance to celebrate our Armed Forces, the Military personnel and the role they play protecting the UK both at home and overseas. 

Armed Forces Week always concludes with Armed Forces Day, which is a massive national event, which this year was hosted in Scarborough.

I was delighted to hear, as part of the events, that Cornwall, has been chosen to host the National Armed Forces Day for 2023.

This is great news. Cornwall has a strong military tradition and close and continuing links with our forces, and I am sure this will be a brilliant day for Cornwall.

My congratulations to my colleague Cherilyn Mackrory, who is the Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth, and Armed Forces Champion for Cornwall Council, Newquay Councillor Louis Gardner for the strong and successful bid

Armed Forces Day is a time to reflect and thank those who have served and those who continue to serve our country. I am sure this event will be greatly welcomed by our local communities and I look forward to working to ensure this national event for Cornwall is as good as it can be next year.

Looking at veterans specifically, I am proud to be part of this Government, which holds the welfare of veterans at is hearts.

In January, the Government launched the Veterans Strategy Action Plan of more than 60 commitments backed by an extra £70 million. Great progress is being made with over a fifth of commitments already completed after just six months.

As well as this, progress has been made improving healthcare provision for veterans. Op COURAGE, the bespoke mental health pathway for veterans in the NHS in England, has launched backed by over £17 million a year investment, plus an additional £2.7 million over the next three years. The service will bring three bespoke veterans’ mental health services into one long-term integrated service from April 2023.

Meanwhile, more than £1 million in new money is being invested into a new digital service for veterans, which will enable them to quickly and easily verify their veteran status online.

The project, which is due to be available for all veterans in 2023, will make it easier and quicker to demonstrate their military service in order to access a range of government and charity services, and reduce waiting times and the likelihood of fraud.

Alongside the Veteran’s Strategy, over the last year the Government have delivered significant legislation ensuring veterans, serving and families are protected and supported in law:

·         Overseas Operations Act 2021 – tackling vexatious claims and ending the cycle of re-investigations against our Armed Forces.

·         Armed Forces Act 2021 – giving statutory teeth to the Armed Forces Covenant, with a new duty to have due regard to its principles.

·         Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill – now introduced, to give Op BANNER veterans closure, with honour and finality.

 

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is due to go before the House of Commons at the committee stage today (June 29) and means our veterans, a large number of whom served in Northern Ireland with distinction and honour, will no longer have to live in fear of being chased through the courts for vexatious claims from many decades ago.

The case of Dennis Hutchings, a fellow Cornishman and ex-soldier who died while on trial over a fatal shooting during Northern Ireland's Troubles, shows that this Bill is more important than ever. With this Bill, our veterans are given the certainty they deserve and this Government will fulfil its manifesto pledge by bringing an end to the cycle of investigations that has plagued them for too long.

Rest assured that this Government is committed to protecting our veterans.

Speaking of veterans, this year’s events to mark Armed Forces Week come with particular poignancy, as they fell a week after the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War.

I was privileged during my time on the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme to visit the Falklands and talk to residents who lived through the war. I also found out that the Falklands have several close connections to Cornwall - 30,000 sailors, marines, soldiers, airmen and merchant mariners took part in the Falklands War along with many civilians who supported the war effort.

We must never forget their heroic efforts and particularly those of the 255 British personnel who sadly lost their lives in this conflict, a timely reminder as we look towards Cornwall playing its role as the host of Armed Forces Day 2023, of both the importance of our military and the tremendous sacrifices they make to ensure British citizens everywhere can live free.

As always, my office is available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance. Please do get in touch if I can help – tel. 01726 829379, email – office@stevedouble.org.uk

ENDS