The Government has introduced legislation to establish an independent Armed Forces Commissioner to improve service life for our Armed Forces and their families. Terry Jermy, Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk, has praised the plan stating the Commissioner “will be a strong, independent voice for our forces right across the country and our region as well. Labour is committed to improving the lives of those serve. For the previous fourteen years we have seen the Conservative party hollow out our armed services, Labour will ensure that each and every service family is treated with dignity and respect.”
The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for serving personnel and their families, to raise issues which impact service life, from kit to housing and issues impacting family life. The Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP, has said that this Government is committed “to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve.” He pointed to data which shows satisfaction with service life, amongst our forces, is at the lowest level on record.
The Commissioner will have powers to access information and defence sites, including visiting sites in the UK unannounced. They will have the power to proactively investigate issues facing our forces and their families, to make recommendations, and to set out those recommendations in reports which will be laid before Parliament.
John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, said, “Our government is delivering on our manifesto commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve. The new Armed Forces Commissioner will be a strong, independent voice for our forces to improve service life.
“Our government will always stand up for those who serve our country, and our Armed Forces will always have our fullest support. That’s why we have already confirmed the largest pay rise for personnel in over 20 years and are taking further steps today. The Armed Forces Commissioner will champion serving personnel and their families who make great sacrifices to help keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
In the debate in the House of Commons Terry Jermy MP, spoke of his pride for having a big military presence in the constituency.
Jermy MP, said, “In South West Norfolk we are proud to host RAF Marham—home to the F-35 Lightning squadron—and 3,600 service personnel and their families.
“In my role as a local councillor I have had to issue food bank vouchers to families of service personnel as they have struggled to make ends meet. I and fellow councillors have repeatedly had to complain about the state of military housing, and raised issues about mould and damp, which have impacted on family health.
Jermy later added, “I am delighted that the Labour Government is introducing the Armed Forces Commissioner. They will be a strong, independent voice for our forces community in South West Norfolk, committed to improving service life. Under the previous Conservative Government morale hit a record low, and we were left facing a recruitment and retention crisis in our forces. This Government is putting people at the heart of our defence plans.”
