'Our nation's shame' Veterans call for more protection 'from poverty' for older soldiers
VETERANS yesterday launched a campaign to force the Government to give old soldiers proper legal protection.
They want ministers to make the much-touted Military Covenant fully legally binding to ensure veterans and their families get fair treatment.
The Government says it enshrined the Covenant in law in 2011 - but the veterans say this does not go far enough.
At the moment the Government is committed to an annual Forces Covenant report to Parliament.
But the veterans, who wish to remain unnamed, say this does not stop discrimination.
They say there are nearly 10,000 homeless veterans in the UK including 4,000 living rough on the streets of London.
The campaigners say there are 11,000 veterans in prison even though many are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following active service in wars including Iraq and Afghanistan.
There are about 4.8million veterans in the UK. This is a big political issue
The veterans have set up an e-petition and are trying to secure 100,000 signatures to force a debate and vote in Parliament.
One of the veterans, who served in Northern Ireland, said: "There are about 4.8million veterans in the UK. This is a big political issue.
"The Royal British Legion found 440,000 elderly veterans have to turn off the heating to save money to spend on essentials like food.
"About 310,000 admitted to a chronic lack of financial resources and being unable, for example, to keep their homes free of damp. These figures shame us as a nation.
"We don't just want an annual report to parliament. We want the pledges in the Covenant to be legally binding so that if there was a dereliction of care by the Government or local authorities, a veteran could make an appropriate claim."
The veterans have been incensed by the treatment of former Household Cavalry Corporal of Horse Jamie Streets who faces being thrown out of his council accommodation with his wife and four children by Cornwall County Council.
Mr Streets, 34, served in Kosovo and Afghanistan and escorted the Queen on ceremonial duties before he was discharged on medical grounds last year.
He suffered a cancerous brain tumour after sustaining serious head injuries when thrown from a horse.
He left private housing when he was unable to pay the rent and was given temporary council accommodation in Falmouth - but has been refused a permanent home.
And yesterday the Daily Express told how an Army hero who fought off 200 Iraqi insurgents is selling his medals because he cannot work for medical reasons.
Former Colour Sergeant James Harkess, 46, from Nottinghamshire is selling medals including the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross which is ranked just one below the Victoria Cross.
Yet the Military Covenant states: "Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.
"Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
"This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces."
David Cameron has spoken passionately about the covenant which was made legal in 2011.
At the time he said: "The principles of the Covenant are now part of the law of our land and the value we place on our Armed Forces is clear for all to see."
Last night a Government spokesperson said: “This Government enshrined the Armed Forces Covenant into law in 2011 and last year alone awarded over £100m through the Covenant to schemes that benefit personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families. This disproves the assertion that the Government is failing to implement the Covenant and shows our absolute commitment to ensuring that serving and former members of the Armed Forces, and their families, are not disadvantaged by their service and that they are given special consideration if appropriate. Every local authority in Great Britain has signed up to the Community Covenant - the depth and extent of society’s respect for and gratitude to our Armed Forces couldn’t be clearer.”
* To sign the petition please go to www.soldierpr.org
