Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:27 pm on 23 June 2021.
This week marks Armed Forces Week across the United Kingdom, and many of us will be marking Armed Forces Day this Saturday. But today is Reserves Day—a day that we set aside to pay tribute to those who give their spare time to serve as an integral part of the UK's defence capability. More than 2,000 reservists in Wales volunteer to balance their day jobs and family life with a military career and, this year, we have the opportunity to reflect on and give thanks for the incredible role that reservists have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work has included supporting our NHS to deliver its world-leading vaccination programme, supporting our testing centres, and helping the Welsh Ambulance Service. So, today, let's take the opportunity to thank reservists and the entire armed forces community in Wales for their work during the past 18 months, and in recognition of their valuable contribution to our nation and the benefits that they bring to their employers, let us do everything that we can to encourage employers across this nation, including the Senedd Commission and the Welsh Government, to adopt policies that support the recruitment of reservists and afford them the flexibility that they need to undertake their vital and important roles. Thank you.