Off the Fence with Stephen Morgan MP | Our veterans had our backs, now we have theirs

Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, with a veteran during the D-Day 80 commemorations organised by the Portsmouth Historic Quarter

We are taking action to renew our nation’s contract with those who served.

Last year, I was proud to stand on a manifesto which promised to stand up for our armed forces and veterans.

After 14 years of Conservative Government, I know that veterans in Portsmouth felt ignored, and disrespected.

The facts back it up: in the final two years of Tory government, the number of veterans forced to rely on Universal Credit rose by 65 per cent to a shocking 65,000.

The previous government oversaw a postcode lottery of veteran support, halving employment support for veterans by cutting the number of armed forces champions in job centres from 100 to 50.

That is not acceptable. That’s why I’m proud of this Government’s move to deliver a new UK wide approach to veteran support

The new Valour system, named to celebrate the courage of our veteran community, will mean veterans across the UK have easier access to essential care and support.

This move is a vital step forward for the 9,276 veterans in Portsmouth.

For most service personnel, a career in the Armed Forces sets them up for success and can be a great tool for social mobility.

And where veterans have complex needs, Valour will help ensure the support on offer is data driven and better tailored to their need.

I know first-hand that veterans possess unique skills, and yet face unique challenges.

Valour, which is backed by a landmark £50m of funding, will help ensure that every veteran, regardless of where they live, can access joined up support to help them reach their full potential.

That funding will establish a new network of Valour-recognised support centres in every nation of the UK and deploy Regional Field Officers to connect local, regional and national services – while harnessing the power of data to shape better services.

Bringing together charities, service providers and local government, the new Regional Field Officers provide more evidence and feedback driven support for veterans, across housing, employment, health and welfare.

Our veterans served with Valour.

Now our Valour support network will help ensure our country repays their courage.

We are delivering on our Plan for Change by renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve.

They had our backs. Now we have theirs.