Labour Friends of the Forces

🌹 Bringing those who serve us home for Christmas

I’m really pleased to share that this Labour government will now cover the travel costs for 35,000 young service personnel to come home for Christmas 🎄 — because no one serving our country should be priced out of spending time with the people they love.

Up until now, many of our youngest armed forces members didn’t qualify for help with travel costs. That changes today.

And it builds on the work already underway to properly support those who serve our country:

🌹 The new OpVALOUR one-stop support service for veterans
🌹 A major £9bn programme to renew armed forces housing and take tens of thousands of homes back into public hands
🌹 Changing social housing rules here in Redcar and Cleveland to make sure homeless veterans are prioritised
🌹 The biggest pay rise for our armed forces in 20 years
🌹 The largest increase in defence spending since the Cold War — funded responsibly

Our armed forces community deserves respect, dignity and real support — not warm words and broken promises.

Labour said we would back our servicemen and women.
We are delivering. 🇬🇧

As Minister for Veterans and People, I’m proud to announce our Veterans Strategy, which will deliver real benefits for veterans here in North East Derbyshire and across the country.

This strategy will launch VALOUR Hubs nationwide, bringing vital health, housing, and employment support directly into local high streets and community centres.

We’re also providing new funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service and investing in world-class NHS support for veterans.

Veteran's Strategy 2025

This strategy is the first major update in over seven years and marks a significant milestone under the Labour Government in their commitment to those who have served.

Below are just a few of the key themes of the strategy, together with brief explanations of how they will benefit our veterans.

Under the new Veterans Strategy, the government are:

✅ Launching local Veteran Support Centres so help is never far away.
✅ Investing £50 million to expand services in health, housing and employment.
✅ Ensuring every veteran gets the respect and opportunities they’ve earned.

🏠No Veteran Left Without Support

Every veteran deserves a safe home, fair work and proper care.
That’s why the Labour Government is delivering:

🏠 £12 million for veterans’ housing to tackle homelessness.
🩺 Joined-up health and mental-health services tailored for ex-forces life.
👷‍♂️ A clear pathway from service to secure employment.

💼Turning Service into Success

Veterans bring leadership, discipline and teamwork to every walk of life.

The Labour Government’s Veterans Strategy is unlocking that potential by:

💼 Supporting career transitions and skills development.
🤝 Partnering with employers to recognise military experience.
🌍 Celebrating veterans as vital contributors to our communities and economy.

This is about dignity, stability and belonging — values that reflect the very best of our Armed Forces community.

You can find the full published strategy herehttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690e10eeacbadb0fa8050fb1/31.3_MOD_Veterans_strategy_v8a_Print.pdf

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Today, the Labour Party pauses to remember all those who have died in service of our country, and expresses gratitude to the brave personnel who continue to serve.

We will never forget the sacrifice and service of those who defended our country and fought for our freedom.

Today, we pause to remember all those who have served our country — and those who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace, freedom, and justice.

From the fields of the Somme to the conflicts of our own time, the courage and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and their families continue to inspire us.

As we honour their memory, we also reaffirm our commitment to supporting today’s service personnel, veterans, and their loved ones — not just in words, but in deeds.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning — we will remember them.
❤️🌹

🌹🇬🇧 Labour Friends of the Forces Conference Reception 2025 🇬🇧🌹

What a fantastic evening! Our reception was absolutely packed with The Labour Party members and supporters – many of them proud veterans themselves – and we were honoured to be joined by the entire Defence team, who continue to show huge support for Labour Friends of the Forces.

Our Co-Chair, a Royal Air Force veteran, reflected on the real achievements of the Labour Government over the past year, for our Armed Forces, service personnel, and their families:

✅ The largest pay rise for our armed forces in over 20 years – long overdue recognition of their service.
✅ Action on MOD housing – bringing it back under public control and raising standards, so families can live with dignity and security.
✅ Completion of the Strategic Defence Review – ensuring Britain is prepared for the threats of today and tomorrow.
✅ Increased defence spending – making sure our personnel have the right equipment, training, and resources.
✅ Compensation for LGBT veterans who were dismissed from service because of their sexuality – a long-overdue step towards justice.
✅ Stronger support for veterans – recognising that our duty to them is lifelong.
✅ More veterans in Parliament – ensuring lived experience shapes defence policy at the heart of government.

We were especially delighted to hear from John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, whose leadership and commitment to our Armed Forces community are making a real and lasting difference.

This year’s reception was not just a celebration, but a recommitment: to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.

Labour Friends of the Forces is proud to be building that bridge stronger than ever between the service community and our movement.

Happy ! 🇬🇧

Today we celebrate our serving personnel, veterans, and the families who support them.

Thank you for your courage, commitment, and sacrifice — we are proud to stand with you.