Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about support for veterans and those who serve in our Armed Forces. This is an issue I care deeply about.
I am proud to come from a military family, proud to represent a military city, and proud to serve as a Defence Minister in a government that is strengthening support for our Armed Forces and our nation’s veterans.
Let me be clear: I am proud to back our veterans. I will not play political games with their service, particularly when it comes to Northern Ireland, and I would urge others to do the same.
Plymouth is a proud military city, and I know how much defence matters to people here. I want to set out clearly what this government is doing, and what I am backing, to support both those who serve and those who have served.
Fixing the Legacy Act and Protecting Northern Ireland Veterans
Many people have rightly raised concerns about the situation facing veterans who served in Northern Ireland.
The previous government introduced the Legacy Act, claiming it would protect veterans. It did not. Instead, it:
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Offered immunity to terrorists
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Failed to stop prosecutions
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Was ruled unlawful by the courts
As a result, it left veterans in a state of legal uncertainty and confusion.
Any government elected at the last general election would have had to repeal and replace this legislation, and that is exactly what we are doing.
We have published new legislation that introduces workable protections for Northern Ireland veterans, removes immunity for terrorists, and seeks to provide clarity and fairness. We are actively listening to feedback from veterans’ groups about how these protections can be strengthened further. This work is ongoing and is being treated with the utmost seriousness.
Thousands of people served on the streets of Northern Ireland. They need to know that we have their backs, and we do.
This work is being led by my ministerial colleague Al Carns MP, a former Colonel in the Royal Marines who served in Northern Ireland himself and is the most decorated Member of Parliament in decades. His service and leadership speak for themselves.
Investing in Our Armed Forces
This government has delivered the biggest pay rise for our Armed Forces in 20 years, followed by a second above-inflation increase. After years of decline, we have largely reversed the recruitment and retention crisis we inherited, with more people joining and fewer leaving.
We have also stopped the steady fall in morale that occurred year after year under the previous government. Morale now matters again, and leadership is taking responsibility for it.
Alongside this, we have increased defence spending by the largest amount since the end of the Cold War, ending a decade of hollowing out and underfunding that weakened our forces and our national security.
Fixing Military Housing
When I was in Opposition, I promised that if we won the election we would make defence housing a priority, and we are now delivering on that promise.
We have announced a £9 billion plan to refit, overhaul or rebuild nine in ten military homes, finally addressing the unacceptable conditions too many service families have endured: damp and mould, broken boilers, and leaky roofs. Our Armed Forces and their families deserve far better, and this programme will bring real, lasting change.
Strengthening Support for Veterans
While the previous government often spoke the right language on veterans, too much support was dependent on where someone lived. That postcode lottery was not good enough.
We are:
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Expanding veterans’ housing and mental health services
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Extending support to end veterans’ homelessness, so no veteran should be sleeping rough
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Increasing overall funding for veterans’ services
We have also launched Op Valour, which will provide a consistent level of support for veterans nationwide. The MOD is now considering locations for new funded Valour Centres that will act as hubs for veteran support in communities.
I am proud to be backing the Plymouth bid for a Valour Centre, developed by local veterans’ organisations. It is a strong bid, and I will continue to share updates on its progress.
The Armed Forces Bill
The second major piece of legislation currently before Parliament is the Armed Forces Bill. By law, the rules governing our Armed Forces must be renewed every five years, and this bill represents the biggest update in a generation.
It will:
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Provide new powers to improve defence housing
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Put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law, applying it to central government for the first time
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Modernise service justice and address failures exposed by past scandals involving abuse and bullying
This is a major step forward, and one I am proud to have helped shape as a Minister.
A Government on the Side of Those Who Serve
This government is on the side of veterans and those who serve. We are replacing an unlawful and unworkable Legacy Act with better protections, investing record levels in veteran support, improving housing, and restoring confidence in our Armed Forces.
As the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP, has said:
“This government is renewing the nation’s commitment to those who have served. We’re investing record levels in veteran support, making mainstream services more responsive and ensuring the special sacrifice of our Forces is properly recognised.”
I am proud to be the son of a veteran. I am proud to be the MP for a military city. And I am proud to be a Minister in the Ministry of Defence.
I will never stop fighting to ensure our veterans and Armed Forces community are properly supported and that Britain remains a strong, well-prepared fighting force — whatever you may read on social media.
Luke