 |
Nick Harvey MPStanding up for North Devon since 1992 |
 |
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS PROPOSE 'VETERANS COVENANT'
January 14, 2010 4:46 PM
The lack of support for veterans and confusion over what services are available to servicemen and women once they leave the armed forces was on the Parliamentary agenda yesterday when the Liberal Democrats introduced their new 'Veterans Welfare Bill'.
In light of reports that too many veterans end up with inadequate access to health services or financial support, the proposed legislation would introduce a 'Veterans Covenant' setting out a duty of care for veterans in the same way that the Military Covenant does for serving members of the armed forces and their families.
South West MPs Nick Harvey, Adrian Sanders and Richard Younger-Ross said that the Ministry of Defence should be obliged to ensure that veterans' needs are properly assessed and their access to support monitored appropriately. The Bill seeks to improve the coordination and implementation of existing support programmes available for those who have served in the armed forces, and would require the Secretary of State for Defence to report to Parliament on veterans' welfare issues on an annual basis.
Commenting on the presentation of the Bill, Nick Harvey, North Devon MP and Lib Dem Shadow Defence Secretary said:
'Though the Government pays tribute to the sacrifices that our armed forces make on our behalf, in many cases the level of support servicemen and women receive is simply inadequate. The assistance offered to our veterans should reflect the sacrifices they have made. Tributes are not enough.
'The quality of services offered to veterans must be improved and the Government must do a better job of raising awareness of such services. Making the Government's responsibilities to our veterans clear, as called for in our Bill, is a great step in the right direction.'
Adrian Sanders MP stated:
'We all owe an immense debt to the members of our armed forces and it is inexcusable for the Government to give them anything but the best care and support once they have finished serving their country.'
Richard Younger-Ross added:
'Former servicemen and women can often feel isolated and vulnerable. It is the Government's responsibility to ensure that they feel properly supported through better access to better services and this is exactly what we are proposing.'
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats
-
Help out or donate
-
Tell us what you think