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The Labour Party welcomed our representatives to its annual party conference, in Liverpool, to discuss how it will prioritise veterans at the next general election, including making a commitment to fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.
This is the first time the Charity has held an event at this conference.
Our CEO, James Needham, hosted a panel event with the shadow minister and experts from Armed Forces organisations to discuss the most pressing concerns facing the veteran community. These included financial wellbeing, gaps in the medical discharge process, and the need for greater mental health support during and after transition to civilian life.
He was joined on the panel by Rachel Hopkins MP, the Shadow Veterans Minister; Councillor Andy Newman, a veteran who now serves on as Armed Forces Champion on North Tyneside Council; Angela Kitching, the Director of Public Affairs for the Royal British Legion; and Professor Nicola Fear, Director of the King’s Centre for Military Health Research.
The Shadow Minister stated that Labour is committed to, “Creating an environment where veterans can excel. And those who need support can access it, with an approach based on empathy and empowerment. We will boost specialist mental health support to bring down waiting times, as part of our billion-pound commitment to ensure everyone receives treatment they need.
“The next Labour Government will also fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law and scrap visa fees for non-UK dependants if they have served for four years or more. Following concerns raised by our veterans, including our nuclear test veterans … we will also review the system for awarding medals to serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans to ensure that all get the recognition they deserve.
The minister also stated a Labour Government “will have a transformative impact right across society that will benefit veterans.” Committing to stand with veterans and their families and ensuring they have a voice in Parliament. At the event, we launched our Help for Heroes Manifesto, which sets out the 11 policies we would like the Party to commit to if in power, including commissioning an independent review into the medical discharge process, and for War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme to be disregarded as income when receiving benefits or pension support.
At the event, we launched our Help for Heroes Manifesto, which sets out the 11 policies we would like the Party to commit to if in power, including commissioning an independent review into the medical discharge process, and for War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme to be disregarded as income when receiving benefits or pension support.
We are delighted to have received such a warm welcome at the Labour Party Conference, and to hear firm commitments from the Shadow Defence team to enact several policies for veterans that we have been calling for. We hope to continue to work with the party over the next few months to ensure veterans remain high on the political agenda as we approach the next general election."
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