
This Remembrance Sunday, I joined our local community to pay tribute to our veterans and Armed Forces.
I was honoured to be able to lay a wreath and take part in Remembrance parades in Feltham and Hanworth, as well to lay a tribute in the House of Commons Remembrance Garden on behalf of Feltham and Heston residents. It is always moving to see our community come together to remember those who have served, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life and defend our freedoms.
I would like to thank the team of volunteers at the Heston Royal British Legion, for their work marking Remembrance Sunday and supporting veterans year round.
The contribution made by our Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and the families who support them, is the ultimate public service.
That’s why the Labour Government is committed to strengthening support for our veterans and our Armed Forces Community.
I am proud that the Government has announced millions of new additional funding for veterans’ homelessness support programmes – delivering on the ‘homes for heroes’ pledge that the Prime Minister made at Labour Conference in September.
The announcement guarantees housing support for veterans for the next two years – ensuring support will be there for veterans at risk of homelessness not only this Christmas, but through next Christmas and into 2026.
In terms of additional support for veterans, the Government has already laid legislation to deliver on our commitment to make the veterans ID card an accepted form of ID for voting in elections, ensuring access to democracy for those who have served and defended our democratic rights.
In the budget, the Government also committed to extending the employer National Insurance relief for employers who hire qualifying veterans for a further year.
In support of our Armed Forces this Government has delivered the largest payrise to our forces in over 20 years.
And this week we introduced legislation in Parliament to establish an Armed Forces Commissioner – an independent champion for our serving personnel and their families, to improve service life.
This Remembrance Day, we the service and sacrifice of UK and Commonwealth personnel not only in the First and Second World Wars, but in all conflicts since. I am proud that the Government is committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and have served and their families.
Veterans who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness can access support through the Op Fortitude helpline. Referrals can be made at riv.org.uk/opfortitude or by calling 0800 9520774.
As always, constituents who need support can contact my office on malhotras@parliament.uk or 020 7219 8957.