Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard told The Mirror that long-ignored failings affecting armed forces retention will be addressed as the search for new watchdog figure is launched
Long-ignored failures in the way Britain’s troops are treated will finally be fixed, a Labour minister has vowed.
Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said he was appalled over shocking housing conditions blamed for service personnel leaving. He told The Mirror a new watchdog figure will be a much-needed champion as the UK gets on a war footing.
Mr Pollard said: “We’ve got to fix this because we have the best armed forces in the world in terms of the people. But we’ve inherited a situation where we weren’t treating them as well as we should be. And this government’s determined to fix that.”
Damning data shows 130 people are leaving the forces for every 100 that join, he said. Today the search starts for an Armed Forces Commissioner (AFC), who will be able to launch independent investigations into issues affecting troops.
Mr Pollard said the commissioner – who will report to Parliament – will help tackle failings, including bullying. Defence Secretary John Healey branded it an “important step forward”.
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The move has been welcomed by service personnel, with the Commissioner empowered to carry out snap inspections and demand change from the Government.
Labour frontbencher Mr Pollard said: “We know that over the last decade, morale in each of the armed forces had been falling. And what our people were telling us when they were leaving is very similar.
“The accommodation we are asking them to live in wasn’t good enough.” He said he was horrified when a soldier in his constituency was unable to get a leaking roof fixed before being deployed overseas.
Mr Pollard recalled: “What he was really worried about is when he’s deployed abroad, he needs to be focused on the mission. He doesn’t need to be worrying about whether his wife and his newborn baby still had a leaky roof, dripping water into their home in the winter.”
Mr Pollard said it was a “matter of pride” that thanks to Labour commitments everyone in a service uniform now receives a living wage. Better childcare support is being addressed, and for the first time there will be an independent champion for the forces.
The minister said: “For the very first time they will be able to raise welfare issues outside the chain of command. And so there is a genuinely independent person that can hear those concerns and be able to make recommendations to the government about how we put those rights.”
The Government plans to increase the size of the British Army from 73,000 to 76,000 during the current Parliament. I want our nation to value our forces more,” Mr Pollard said.
“I want them to recognise the incredible bravery and courage of those people who serve. And to do that, let’s make sure everyone gets a decent wage and has a decent home. That’s the standard that I’m setting.
“And that’s why having someone to hold us to those standards in the Armed Forces Commissioner is so important.” The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for personnel and their families, and will be able to visit UK defence sites unannounced and commission reports.
It comes after Labour announced it will be spending £7billion on military accommodation in this Parliament.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Our Armed Forces and the families who support them make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us all safe every day. This government will work tirelessly to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve.
“Today marks an important step forward in that mission as we launch the search for the first ever Armed Forces Commissioner. The Commissioner will be a powerful, independent voice for personnel across all four nations of the UK, building on our commitments to the largest pay increase in 20 years for serving personnel and an extra £1.5bn to improve forces family housing, as we deliver on our Plan for Change.”
The move has been welcomed among service personnel. Staff Sergeant Lauren Kelly said: “I feel that it is very important that we have an independent champion acting as a powerful voice for our Armed Forces community.
“Tackling issues like our accommodation standards, work-life balance, equipment concerns, and childcare arrangements is not only important for Armed Forces recruitment but also crucial so that we continue to retain the best individuals.”
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