The Labour Minister for Local Government & Communities has backed the Welsh Conservatives’ manifesto commitment to introduce a Veterans’ Card.
The pledge, which was a key plank of the Party’s 2011 manifesto, was designed to recognise the contribution of ex-armed forces personnel and included:
- An expansion of the existing free bus pass scheme to include veterans
- Free entry to local authority swimming pools
- Free entry to CADW sites
- Priority treatment for service related conditions/injuries on the NHS
- Priority delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants for home adaptation
The Minister with responsibility for veterans’ services, Carl Sargeant responded to a Welsh Conservative-led debate by backing the proposals.
Mark Isherwood AM, Shadow Minister for Communities & Housing, said, "Our armed forces do an incredible job for us on a daily basis.
"This is a very welcome step from the Welsh Government to recognise the dedication and sacrifice that our armed forces make.
"Their professionalism and courage sets an example to young people across Wales and it is right that we should show our appreciation and admiration in every way possible."
Darren Millar AM, who chairs the Assembly’s Cross Party Group on the Armed Forces, said, "It is impossible to overstate the massive contribution that our armed forces make to keeping our nation safe, often at great personal risk.
"I am delighted that the Welsh Government is looking seriously at our proposals with a view to adopting them.
"This card would help ensure that veterans receive the treatment and support that they need and deserve when they take the sometimes difficult step of adapting to civilian life.
"Expanding the free bus pass scheme to veterans as part of a wider Veterans’ Card was a critical aspect of last year’s Welsh Conservative manifesto and the Minister’s commitment is a welcome move to recognise what our armed forces do to protect our nation."
Notes:
Speaking in the Assembly Chamber, Carl Sargeant, the Minister for Local Government and Communities, said:
"The Member raised the all-Wales veterans card. In the last meeting of the ministerial advisory group on the armed forces, I asked for this to be taken forward because of the benefits of it. It may not be exactly what opposition members requested during their debate, but I have asked the group to consider the opportunities that it would give ex-service personnel in Wales to present without question and say, ‘We are ex-service personnel and we should either be prioritised or get access to these services’. That is something that we will be presenting in the near future."