The remembrance period is always a poignant time of year, where we reflect on the British soldiers who have lost their lives fighting to keep us safe, and those who continue to keep us safe.
Yet across our communities in Wales, it’s clear that our veterans are not supported enough. It cannot be right that we see veterans, who have given so much to our country, homeless on our streets.
Under 26 years of Welsh Labour Governments, propped up by Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems, our armed forces and veterans have been left behind, and not fully supported.
In the Senedd this week, the Welsh Conservatives have brought forward a package of measures to support Wales’ Armed Forces community, as part of our positive and credible plan to fix Wales.
This includes ending veteran homelessness by making veterans a top priority when allocating housing, increasing funding for Veterans NHS Wales, and promoting engagement in the armed forces friendly schools programme to support service children.
Commenting ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Armed Forces, James Evans MS, said:
“It cannot be right that veterans across Wales, who have given so much, find themselves homeless on our streets, and not receiving sufficient support.
“As part of our Welsh Conservative plans to fix Wales, we’ve got bold policies to support our armed forces community, and ensure no veteran is left sleeping on our streets.”
Also commenting ahead of the debate, Alabaré, a national homeless charity supporting veterans, said:
“Alabaré supports the proposals put forward by Darren Millar, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives. Just as our veterans made a commitment to put their country before themselves, Alabaré is committed to breaking the cycle of veterans’ homelessness - ensuring no veteran calls the street a home.
“Wales has a proud military community, and Alabaré believes that they deserve both recognition of their sacrifices and the appropriate support to successfully move on to an independent life - post service.
“Veteran homelessness continues. Last year Alabaré supported 158 veterans across Wales and the South West of England. There was also a 122% increase in referrals - a deeply concerning trend. Alabaré supports all efforts to end veteran homelessness.”
Also commenting ahead of the debate, Adrian Leslie, Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager for the Royal British Legion, said:
“We welcome this debate and thank all Members of the Senedd for recognising the contribution of Wales’s Armed Forces community. Wales is rightly proud of the role our Armed Forces play, and it is vital that the community is properly supported.
“We believe that support for veterans should be consistent, fair, and rooted in the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring no one is disadvantaged as a result of their service.”
The motion which will be debated on Wednesday reads:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Recognises the enduring importance of the remembrance period to families and communities in Wales.
2. Remembers and honours all those who have lost their lives and made sacrifices in the service of our country.
3. Acknowledges the tireless work of organisations, individuals and volunteers who support Wales's armed forces community and veterans.
4. Recognises the significant ongoing contribution that the military makes to Wales.
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to support Wales’s armed forces community by:
a) ending veteran homelessness by requiring all Welsh local authorities and social landlords to give homeless veterans a top priority when allocating housing;
b) promoting engagement in the armed forces friendly schools programme to support service children;
c) increasing funding for Veterans NHS Wales to enable the appointment of permanent peer mentors in all Welsh health boards;
d) extending free bus travel to all military veterans; and
e) establishing a national military museum for Wales.
