This Labour Government came into office with a determination to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, who have served, and Forces families. Those men and women who risk their lives every day for this country and stand at the heart of our national security. And the families that sacrifice so much support them. They are the very best of us. Whilst this is important across the country it should be part of our every day in our city.
As the proud mother of serving navy personnel, I know how important Armed Forces Day is to those serving and those with loved ones serving. Earlier this year I stood in Old Portsmouth with the Armed Forces Minister and waved off the Prince of Wales as it left the dockyard, to take part in the joint carrier strike group taskforce. A mum whose son was on board the Prince of Wales and lives in Cosham came up to me and the Minister and said ‘in an uncertain world my special cargo is on that ship and I’m proud you’re here to see what it means to us and I’m proud in what you are doing to support our armed forces’.
When we celebrate Armed Forces Day in Portsmouth, I’m always thinking of them, that mothers and every mother’s ‘special cargo’. I’m proud of what our Labour Government has delivered for service personnel in just 11 months of office.
We’re rewarding their dedication and professionalism – with the largest pay rise in over 20 years for our forces last year, and another inflation busting pay rise this year.
We’re bringing the military housing estate back into public hands, buying back 36,000 military homes, and investing more than £7 billion on military accommodation this parliament. Fixing long-term decline, increasing urgent repairs and renovations, and delivering homes fit for heroes.
We’re setting up our new VALOUR system to ensure veterans more easily access support on housing, employment, and health services. Disappointingly the city council haven’t yet signed up to be part of the new system. As the home of the Royal Navy, it should be a champion for veterans in our city and grabbing opportunities like this with both hands.
This month we’ve launched the search for the UK’s first ever Armed Forces Commissioner – an independent champion for serving personnel and families and a direct point of contact to raise issues affecting service life, such as housing, equipment, and welfare. I was proud to be a part of developing this role.
We’re overhauling outdated recruitment practices crisis – providing more opportunities and jobs across the country and attracting the best talent to the forces. And getting more young people excited about a potential career in our Armed Forces whilst learning vital life skills by increasing our Cadet force by 30% by 2030 through the Strategic Defence Review.
This Labour Government is committed to turning the page on 14 years of Conservative failure on defence.
We know that the need to reconnect Britain with serving personnel is more important than ever and we must strengthen links between our Armed Forces community and society. In a signal of that change, I’m proud that the Government is making Armed Forces Day bigger and better by bringing back the National Event.
As a country we saw 180 local events taking place across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day this year, including in Portsmouth. Which I had the pleasure of attending and meeting the many veterans, service personnel, charities, and organisations on display. The work by volunteers that happens in our city to support those who serve and have served is inspiring.
In this new era of threat, we must build society’s understanding of what the Armed Forces do to deter the threats we face and keep us safe. And we must honour those who served in decades gone by.
So, this week and indeed every week, I hope you will all join me in paying tribute – and celebrating – those who serve and served and our wider Forces community.
