SUPPORT FOR OUR VETERANS

From time to time I have tried to draw attention to the UK Government's failure in its Duty of Care towards our service men and service women, this is something that is provoking widespread concern especially when the Military Covenant is being effectively undermined. Plaid launched its new policy paper on supporting veterans, on Monday 15th February, it highlights a number of important, if not vital, areas for reform in the penal system and highlights the need for a separate strategic review of expenditure spent on service personnel leaving the forces.

At a time when the UK Government is preparing to undertake a major defence spending review, Plaid will be urging the Westminster government to address this particular area of forces and veteran welfare. Following on from the spiralling cost of military procurement and the New Labour government's utter inability to keep within its budget, especially over the war in Afghanistan, Plaid is campaigning for priority to be given to veteran welfare.

Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd MP, who first highlighted this issue seven years ago has repeatedly pressed the Prime Minister many times on the matter. Mr Llwyd launched the document at the Royal British Legion in Llandudno.

Plaid's Elfyn Llwyd MP said:

"This work is part of Plaid's ongoing commitment to supporting troops and veterans that are currently being let down by the UK Government. If the government is going to send our brave troops to illegal and immoral wars they must remember that they still have a duty of care towards them or they break the Military Covenant."

"Large numbers of soldiers are coming back from war zones (more than ever before), and on leaving the forces, it is increasingly apparent that the government is doing little to support them. Last year figures showed there were twice as many veterans in prison than British troops are in Afghanistan."

"Initiatives need to be put in place to target the social isolation experienced by many veterans - something which would doubtlessly lessen the numbers entering into custody or probation in the first place. We're advocating several measures such as a more thorough 'debriefing' procedure pre-discharge from the forces and which would include psychological assessments plus drug and alcohol tests. Intervention at an early stage could help many veterans before they come into contact with the criminal justice system."

"A post-discharge support programme should be designed to combat the various strains of social estrangement experienced by many veterans. Basic initiatives such as tenancy support services and advice on debt management should be as integral to a support programme as physical and mental health checks."

"What is missing on a national level is a holistic support service and also a system of identification of veterans coming into contact with the criminal justice system. There are many more options that need to be considered and this is very much an ongoing project. Reform of the current penal system, as well as the way criminal proceedings are dealt with within the military, is desperately needed to ensure our veterans do not end up in this vicious circle."