Greg Smith MP writes ahead of Remembrance Sunday 2022...
With red poppies reappearing across Buckinghamshire, from lapels to lamp posts, and with Remembrance Sunday soon upon us, our thoughts are once again with those who have given service in His Majesty’s Armed Forces—including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
I am sure that—like me— you find the dedication and courage of our service personnel is beyond impressive. That’s why I very much welcome the momentous steps taken to deliver the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan, which aims to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran by 2028.
This policy is led by former British Army officer Johnny Mercer MP, who was appointed Minister for Veterans’ Affairs on 25 October. Johnny’s dismay at how his old Army colleagues were treated by governments past were formative, and the reason he entered politics. Never having voted before couldn’t stop him! We couldn’t have a better MP in this vital job.
I am very pleased that new veterans’ ID cards are now being issued to service leavers as part of their discharge process. The scheme will also be extended to enable existing veterans in Bucks and across the country to prove more quickly, easily and securely that they served in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, or Royal Air Force.
The long-established Career Transition Partnership continues to provide those who have served with assistance in their transition from military to civilian life through various career and employment support opportunities.
Additionally, in March 2021, the Government launched Op COURAGE, the veterans’ mental health service in England. This appropriately-named offering brings under one umbrella all of the bespoke veterans’ mental health services offered to form one, long-term, integrated care system, and to prevent the indignity of patients being passed from pillar to post when receiving the treatment they need and deserve.
The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 ensures members of the Armed Forces are referred to a local housing authority: a crucial first step in resolving a housing crisis. But housing continues to be a challenge for personnel leaving the Forces. So in June 2020, the Government required local authorities to improve access to social housing for the Armed Forces and veterans’ communities.
As the foundation stone of the tremendous change in approach to support for veterans we’ve seen over the last decade—the Armed Forces Covenant is the crucial statement of the moral obligation between the country, the Government and the Armed Forces, and the Government must report annually to Parliament on the actions it has taken to uphold this sincere promise.
I hope the Covenant will continue to lead to even more support for our veterans, but you can do your bit too.
November means poppies, and the Royal British Legion are out in force across the County, collecting donations and handing out these poignant red flowers of remembrance in the run-up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
It has been uplifting to see people’s generosity as I have undertaken my volunteer shifts selling poppies in Buckingham and Winslow over the past fortnight.
Whilst the cost of living may be high, local residents have still been digging deep for their donations to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in support of our veterans and armed forces community. Their generosity has been truly outstanding.
You can find out more by clicking here to visit the Poppy Appeal's website.
And this year, poppies are recyclable. After Armistice Day, you can recycle your poppy at any Sainsbury’s supermarket!
