The Labour Government’s landmark Armed Forces Commissioner Bill passed its House of Commons Committee Stage this week with the support of Terry Jermy MP.
Introduced to Parliament in November, the Labour Government’s legislation will establish an independent Armed Forces Commissioner to improve service life for our Armed Forces and their families – a brand-new role which is warmly welcomed by serving personnel.
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 affecting family life.
Terry Jermy MP was selected to be a member of the Committee that looked at the Bill in detail given the constituency’s strong links with our armed services. Mr Jermy previously spoke in the main House of Commons debate when the Bill was introduced, praising the new Commissioner role as a “strong, independent voice for our forces in South West Norfolk, committed to improving service life.” The legislation passed the Committee Stage unamended this week.
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, make recommendations, and set out those recommendations in reports, which will be laid before Parliament.
After the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill passed Committee Stage, Luke Pollard MP, Minister for the Armed Forces, said:
“Our new Government’s plan to create an independent champion for the armed forces and their families will help shine a spotlight on issues affecting service life. This is a first step to renewing the contract between the nation and those who serve. Combined with the biggest pay rise for our troops in over 20 years, this shows how our Labour government is on a drive to lift military morale and retention.
“I’m grateful for the support of Terry Jermy MP in scrutinising this bill.”
Terry Jermy MP, said: “It was honour to help ensure this landmark piece of legislation progressed through parliament, especially given South West Norfolk’s proud history with the military.
“After 14 years of the Tories gutting the British Army, losing 23 regiments – the lowest level since 2010, Labour is making sure that our service men and woman are backed and looked after. In one of my constituency surgeries just a few weeks ago, I met a serving member of our armed forces who is no longer operationally deployable because he is forced to homeschool his child as a result of failure in relation to special educational needs provision in Norfolk. I was able to raise this example when scrutinising the bill and also discussed the often appalling housing conditions that face too many of our personnel. Through this Bill and the establishment of the Commissioner role, those that serve and protect us will have a voice and a champion.”
