MP meets with Royal British Legion to discuss 2021 census

A CAMPAIGN calling for the armed forces community to be included as part of the next national census has been backed by MP Caroline Dinenage.

The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland has launched the Count Them In campaign, calling for accurate representation of the location and needs of armed forces veterans.

It has been estimated that there are currently between 6.5 million and 6.7 million members of the armed forces community living in the UK.

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Gosport MP Ms Dinenage met with Royal British Legion representatives.

She said: ‘Members of the armed forces community make huge sacrifices in the service of our country.

‘I was very disappointed to learn that we currently know more about the UK’s Jedi community than we do about our armed forces.

‘It cannot be right that our servicemen and women, veterans and their families are effectively hidden from official statistics.

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‘That’s why I’m backing the call for new questions to be added to the next UK census.’

Director general of the Royal British Legion Charles Byrne said: ‘As a nation we promise to provide lifelong care and support for those who serve our country.

‘By including the armed forces community in the 2021 census, we can help public bodies and charities deliver the best services they can for our armed forces community, when and where it is needed most.

‘We thank Caroline for adding her support to our campaign.’