Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 14 January 2014
14 Jan 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Veterans
I am honoured to speak in the debate. Veterans and veteran issues are close to my heart, as I am an ex-Territorial Army soldier myself, having served in the 71st Royal Engineer regiment reserves and sponsored units.
The first paragraph of the armed forces covenant acknowledges that our armed forces and their families make huge sacrifices for our country. In return, we have a duty to give them and their families our respect and support. When veterans sign up for the ultimate sacrifice for our country, that is the least we can do.
Veteran issues are separate from our thoughts on war. We can strongly object to and oppose a war but, once our troops are there, it is our duty to support them through whatever problems and difficulties they experience during their time there and on their return home.
We are failing our veterans. They are often left to rely on charity hand-outs, which, in the current financial climate, can no longer be guaranteed. Therefore, the announcement of a commissioner is welcome. However, I would like him or her to have the powers to ensure that actual support is given to the veterans who he or she will be appointed to help.
Last month, I helped to organise a curry night in the Mosque Kitchen restaurant in Edinburgh for ABF the Soldiers’ Charity, which is a fantastic organisation. In 2013, it helped 170 veterans in Glasgow, spending £80,000 for their wellbeing. Worryingly, it has seen its case load rise over the past three years. It is particularly important to note that the charities that currently support our veterans face huge pressures and challenges.
Therefore, I am happy to support the motion, which mentioned support for veterans. I hope that we go on and ensure that we have a strategy in place that supports our veterans throughout the services that they normally look for.
I look forward to the commissioner making sure that our veterans’ needs are looked after better than they currently are. Many of our veterans go through a lot of hardship and their families suffer with them. That needs to change. Although I welcome the announcement of the commissioner and the resources to fund the post, I do not yet see the commissioner being given the strength and power to ensure that he or she will be able to carry out the job effectively, ensuring real support for our veterans. I hope that I will see that in the near future.
15:09
The first paragraph of the armed forces covenant acknowledges that our armed forces and their families make huge sacrifices for our country. In return, we have a duty to give them and their families our respect and support. When veterans sign up for the ultimate sacrifice for our country, that is the least we can do.
Veteran issues are separate from our thoughts on war. We can strongly object to and oppose a war but, once our troops are there, it is our duty to support them through whatever problems and difficulties they experience during their time there and on their return home.
We are failing our veterans. They are often left to rely on charity hand-outs, which, in the current financial climate, can no longer be guaranteed. Therefore, the announcement of a commissioner is welcome. However, I would like him or her to have the powers to ensure that actual support is given to the veterans who he or she will be appointed to help.
Last month, I helped to organise a curry night in the Mosque Kitchen restaurant in Edinburgh for ABF the Soldiers’ Charity, which is a fantastic organisation. In 2013, it helped 170 veterans in Glasgow, spending £80,000 for their wellbeing. Worryingly, it has seen its case load rise over the past three years. It is particularly important to note that the charities that currently support our veterans face huge pressures and challenges.
Therefore, I am happy to support the motion, which mentioned support for veterans. I hope that we go on and ensure that we have a strategy in place that supports our veterans throughout the services that they normally look for.
I look forward to the commissioner making sure that our veterans’ needs are looked after better than they currently are. Many of our veterans go through a lot of hardship and their families suffer with them. That needs to change. Although I welcome the announcement of the commissioner and the resources to fund the post, I do not yet see the commissioner being given the strength and power to ensure that he or she will be able to carry out the job effectively, ensuring real support for our veterans. I hope that I will see that in the near future.
15:09
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
Before we come to the debate on veterans, I want to say that I am deeply disappointed that a major policy announcement that was to be made as part of the deb...
The Minister for Transport and Veterans (Keith Brown)
SNP
Presiding Officer, I note your comments about the release of information. We tried hard to ensure that it did not happen, but it has happened. As you have su...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I very much welcome the opportunity to speak about armed forces veterans and the vital support services and charities that operate in Scotland and throughout...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I start by thanking the BBC for advance sight of the minister’s statement. Although I say that in a fairly light-hearted way, there is a serious issue here. ...
Jim Eadie (Edinburgh Southern) (SNP)
SNP
The armed forces class a veteran as anyone who has given one day of what is called reckonable service. That may be because once someone has made the decision...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the Government for today’s debate and for allowing Parliament to recognise the contribution that veterans have made and continue to make to our count...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Mr Macintosh. Methinks we are going to miss John Park for the football.14:52
Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)
SNP
We all know the quote:“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”In this case, it is for one’s nation, but do we really know th...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I welcome the debate, and I am pleased to be able to offer a few brief remarks.As the motion rightly acknowledges, we owe a considerable debt to veterans, bu...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
On this occasion, I will allow nicknames.15:01
Nigel Don (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the announcement of a commissioner, which I think is a step in the right direction. The minister suggests that the commissioner would oversee the p...
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I am honoured to speak in the debate. Veterans and veteran issues are close to my heart, as I am an ex-Territorial Army soldier myself, having served in the ...
Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, welcome the announcement of the creation of a new post of veterans commissioner. I have a personal interest in the military, as my daughter’s boyfrie...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to conclude the debate on behalf of my party and, as the convener of the cross-party group on armed forces veterans, declare something of an i...
Mark Griffin
Lab
I close the debate on behalf of the Labour Party as I opened it, by restating the continued support that we give our armed forces personnel and veterans. It ...
Keith Brown
SNP
I am grateful to all members who have spoken. We heard some good speeches, which contained knowledge, insight, suggestions and indeed criticisms. I will try ...