On the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, MP, Leader of the , has pledged that the next
Labour government will give veterans the security they deserve
once their time in service ends, providing access to housing,
mental health support and retraining.
Corbyn said, “the next Labour government will guarantee armed
forces personnel the opportunity to have a home, to heal and to
retrain when they complete their time in service.”
Labour’s social contract for veterans includes:
· Ending the scourge of veterans sleeping rough on our streets
with homes reserved for people with a history of rough sleeping
· Free education and training through the National Education
Service
· New career opportunities through Increased apprenticeship
numbers
· Mental health issues, like PTSD, treated as seriously as
physical health issues
With the Government’s Veterans Strategy due to be published this
month, Labour is also calling on the Government to:
· Officially register the number of homeless veterans
· Officially log numbers of veterans who commit suicide
· Prioritise the mental health of veterans
· Do more to help veterans start new careers through improved
access to education and training
MP, Leader of the , said:
“On Remembrance Sunday, we commemorate all those killed in war as
we strive for a world of peace. We must also think of our
veterans and the shocking lack of support far too many receive.
“Let today spur us into action, to give our veterans the security
and support they deserve with a new social contract for veterans.
The next Labour government will guarantee armed forces personnel
the opportunity to have a home, to heal and to retrain when they
complete their time in service.
“We will do the right thing by ending the scourge of rough
sleeping and helping veterans embark on new careers.
“The psychological effects of war can be devastating. While many
organisations do fantastic work to give mental health support,
charity alone is not enough. If someone is suffering from PTSD,
this should be treated as seriously as a physical injury.
“We must honour our commitments to those who served in our armed
forces.”
MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence
Secretary, said:
“In spite of the best efforts of many of those working in the
sector, too many veterans are still not getting the support that
they need.
“The Government's long overdue Veterans Strategy needs to be far
reaching and properly funded. It must strengthen the transition
phases and implement proper joined up thinking to ensure that no
veteran who needs support falls through the net.
“And it needs to put in the funding so that local councils and
health providers can implement the Armed Forces Covenant
consistently and effectively, to ensure that veterans get the
employment, housing and health support that they are entitled
to.”
