MP calls for 'covenant' to promise care for veterans

Published on Wednesday 20 January 2010 09:16

EDINBURGH West Liberal Democrat MP John Barrett today called for more rights for armed forces veterans.

He gave his backing to proposals for a new "Veterans Covenant" setting out a duty of care for ex-service personnel in the same way that the Military Covenant does for serving members of the armed forces and their families.

Mr Barrett said the failure to give former servicemen and women adequate support had left some veterans isolated, vulnerable and out of pocket.

He said: "Ministers pay tribute to the sacrifices that our armed forces make on our behalf, but the simple fact is that in many cases the level of support they receive from the Government is unacceptable.

"Making the Government's responsibilities to our veterans explicit and ensuring that information on welfare is accessible can only improve the quality of services offered. It is only right that the assistance offered to our veterans after they leave the armed forces reflects the extent of the sacrifices that so many of them have made on our behalf."