The Government has introduced legislation to establish an independent Armed Forces Commissioner to improve service life for our Armed Forces and their families.
Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has praised the plan stating the Commissioner “will be a strong, independent voice for our forces in Portsmouth, committed to improving service life.”
The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for serving personnel and their families, to raise issues which impact service life, from kit to housing and issues impacting family life.
The Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP, has said that this Government is committed “to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve.”
He pointed to data which shows satisfaction with service life, amongst our forces, is at the lowest level on record.
The Commissioner will have powers to access information and defence sites, including visiting sites in the UK unannounced.
They will have the power to proactively investigate issues facing our forces and their families, to make recommendations, and to set out those recommendations in reports which will be laid before Parliament.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“I am delighted that the Labour Government is introducing the Armed Forces Commissioner.
“They will be a strong, independent voice for our forces community in Portsmouth, committed to improving service life.
“Under the previous Conservative Government morale hit a record low, and we were left facing a recruitment and retention crisis in our forces. This Government is putting people at the heart of our defence plans.”
John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, said:
“Our government is delivering on our manifesto commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve. The new Armed Forces Commissioner will be a strong, independent voice for our forces to improve service life.
“Our government will always stand up for those who serve our country, and our Armed Forces will always have our fullest support. That’s why we have already confirmed the largest pay rise for personnel in over 20 years, and are taking further steps today.
“The Armed Forces Commissioner will champion serving personnel and their families who make great sacrifices to help keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
As Shadow Armed Forces Minister, Mr Morgan led Labour’s response to the Armed Forces Bill calling for the Government to go further in supporting service personnel and their families on issues such as accommodation and actions to improve morale and satisfaction.
