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| When the war is over... |
The interests of ex-service men and
women and reservists need to be championed by a dedicated Minister for Veterans'
Affairs – a model that has worked in the USA. Such a post could work to ensure
that veterans with service-related conditions are entitled to priority
treatment, with those who have lost limbs being ensured access to
state-of-the-art prosthetics and after care. Plaid Cymru MP's in Westminster
were the first to actively raise and discuss the needs of ex-veterans back in
2010. Plaid Cymru previously asked for a Minister in the Cabinet Office to take
responsibility for ex-veterans, a Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Such a Minister
could also have responsibility for helping former service personnel to adjust
to civilian life and ensure that they have access the assistance they need with
health, housing and employment. The Scottish government has worked hard to
improve the support that veterans receive from devolved public services such as
the NHS and other agencies and recently created a commissioner for veterans.
Veterans and reservists in our country may be better served by a dedicated Minister
of Veterans Affairs to similarly work to ensure that our veterans get a fair
deal after finishing their military service.
A veterans Minster could also help to ensure that reservists, who are now
being expected to play a much wider role in the future, after the current
restructure of the armed forces, don’t lose out and are not discriminated
against by employers as a result of fulfilling their duties.
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