Beith gives strong backing to Veterans Welfare Bill

3.15.00pm GMT Thu 14th Jan 2010

Support for veterans is just one of Sir Alan Beith's campaigns for our armed forces and their families.

Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick upon Tweed Sir Alan Beith has welcomed the Veterans Welfare Bill which was introduced to the House of Commons this week by neighbouring MP Michael Moore.

Mr Moore's Bill proposes a range of measures designed to improve the quality of support offered to veterans in the UK, including the introduction of a binding 'Veterans Covenant' which would establish a duty of care for veterans in the same way the Military Covenant does for serving members of the armed forces and their families.

Mr Moore said

"The death of another British soldier in Afghanistan earlier this week is another tragic reminder of the sacrifices that our armed forces continue to make on our behalf at home and abroad. It is about time that the quality of health and welfare services provided to veterans once they have left the forces reflected the depth of the commitment they have made to their country. 

"The need to improve the support offered to veterans in the UK is one of the few issues on which politicians from all of the major parties can agree."

Sir Alan Beith added:

"I am very pleased to give my support to this Bill, particularly in a week when I am presenting one of our surviving D-Day veterans with his Normandy Bar for his role in that turning point in World War Two.

"This Bill is about supporting veterans of all ages - the millions of people who have served our country over many different decades and have returned to civilian life.

"I hope it will attract strong support from members of all parties."