- Up to 35,000 service personnel from across Britain to receive extra travel support this Christmas to reunite with their loved ones.
- Thousands of return journeys home to be covered by MOD to support service personnel over the festive period.
- Government delivering on its commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, as Prime Minister visited troops at RAF Lossiemouth and the Defence Secretary and Portsmouth South MP went onboard HMS Prince of Wales
Tens of thousands of Armed Forces personnel will be able to claim for a return journey to be reunited with their friends and family this festive season, underlining this government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve.
The Prime Minister made the announcement on a visit to RAF Lossiemouth to thank troops for their service and dedication as we head into the Christmas period.
Around 30,000 junior personnel in years 2-5 of their military careers – a group particularly affected by postings far from home early in their service – will benefit from a funded return journey to see their loved ones this Christmas.
A further 5,000 separated parents with non-resident children will also receive travel credit, helping them reunite with their children over Christmas.
This is targeted support where it is most needed – with personnel in their early years of service most likely to be separated from family and friends due to the demands of military life and placements.
While many in the Armed Forces already qualify for travel cost support, around 35,000 service personnel don’t currently qualify for this support, and the Government is changing that this festive season.
This comes as the Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, met with Stephen Morgan MP on a visit to Portsmouth yesterday to welcome home service personnel on board HMS Prince of Wales in HM Naval Base Portsmouth.
The ship’s company returned to Portsmouth on Sunday after an eight-month global Carrier Strike Group deployment. The Defence Secretary and city MP Stephen Morgan met with personnel to hear their views on the latest announcement to support serving personnel and their families.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan MP for Portsmouth South said:
“This is a Labour Government committed to renewing our nation’s contract with those who serve us.
“As an MP for Portsmouth, the heart and home of the Royal Navy, I welcome the announcement that armed forces personnel will be supported to reunite with their families this festive season.
“I recognise the importance of celebrating Christmas with loved ones, and I am happy to hear that action is being taken to ensure that many forces families will not have to miss out on that experience this year.
“It was a privilege to hear what difference this will make to those who serve in our city, alongside the Defence Secretary as we were onboard HMS Prince of Wales”.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:
“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our country safe. Helping them get home to their families for Christmas is the least we can do to support them.
“In this new era of threat, the strength of our defence lies in the serving men and women of our forces. Having already awarded the biggest military pay rise in 20 years, and launched a big new strategy to renew military housing, this Government is proudly putting our Forces First.”
Support with either road or rail travel will be available at Christmas or over the coming months, ensuring those on duty over the festive season can still access support when they need it.
