If youโve served our country, you shouldnโt have to beg for basic help - what an insult it is for tens of thousands of veterans.
We need a world-class veteran support system - this could be entirely funded through diverting a fraction of foreign aid.
That meansโฆ
A real veteran care service inside the NHS - guaranteed fast-track treatment and mental health support. Proper ring fenced housing priority funds for veterans in every local authority. A robust employment fund to retrain and reintegrate those leaving the forces (including a comprehensive scheme to help veterans into police/immigration enforcement field roles).
We can ensure that not a single veteran is living on the streets.
A fraction of the foreign aid budget would pay for all of it. Easily, over and over.
No more financing for Kenyan gender lectures or Bangladeshi shrimp farms - use those funds to create a best in class veteran support network.
Before anyone asks, I've put my money where my mouth is. I donated my entire net MP salary this month to the Poppy Appeal in Great Yarmouth. Actions over words.
Iโve officially put this proposal to the Prime Minister.
It feels like something the entire country could get behind.