- Up to 35,000 service personnel to receive extra travel
support this Christmas to reunite with their loved ones.
- Thousands of return journeys home to be covered by MOD to
support service personnel over the festive period.
- Government delivering on its commitment to renew the nation's
contract with those who serve, as Prime Minister visits troops at
RAF Lossiemouth today.
Tens of thousands of Armed Forces personnel will be able to claim
for a return journey to be reunited with their friends and family
this festive season, underlining this government's commitment to
renew the nation's contract with those who serve.
The Prime Minister announced this today whilst on a visit to RAF
Lossiemouth to thank troops for their service and dedication as
we head into the Christmas period.
Around 30,000 junior personnel in years 2-5 of their military
careers – a group particularly affected by postings far from home
early in their service – will benefit from a funded return
journey to see their loved ones this Christmas.
A further 5,000 separated parents with non-resident children will
also receive travel credit, helping them reunite with their
children over Christmas.
This is targeted support where it is most needed – with personnel
in their early years of service most likely to be separated from
family and friends due to the demands of military life and
placements.
While many in the Armed Forces already qualify for travel cost
support, around 35,000 service personnel don't currently qualify
for this support, and the Government is changing that this
festive season.
This comes as the Defence Secretary meets with personnel on board
HMS Prince of Wales, who returned home to Portsmouth before
Christmas at the weekend after their eight-month global Carrier
Strike Group deployment.
Prime Minister said:
“When I came into office, I promised to renew our nation's
contract with those who serve us. That is why this government is
improving homes for heroes, delivering the biggest military pay
rise in a generation and enshrining the new Armed Forces Covenant
in law to properly represent our forces community.
“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices, and I know how
important being with family is, and that is why today we're
announcing extra travel support for service personnel to be with
their loved ones this Christmas.”
Defence Secretary, MP said:
“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our
country safe. Helping them get home to their families for
Christmas is the least we can do to support them.
“In this new era of threat, the strength of our defence lies in
the serving men and women of our forces. Having already awarded
the biggest military pay rise in 20 years, and launched a big new
strategy to renew military housing, this Government is proudly
putting our Forces First.”
Support with either road or rail travel will be available at
Christmas or over the coming months, ensuring those on duty over
the festive season can still access support when they need it.
