Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:40 pm on 8 November 2022.
This year is especially poignant. Remembrance has its focus on past sacrifices made by those from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, but today, we see terrible bloodshed, loss and distress in Ukraine. Our hearts, our support and our solidarity go out to the people of Ukraine, including those who have made their homes here in Wales. This year is also significant as we remember the fortieth anniversary of the Falklands war. Amongst the all-too-many losses of this short but brutal conflict, we remember the 32 Welsh Guards who lost their lives at Bluff Cove. We remember the many wounded, the traumas suffered and the lives changed forever.
As is right and proper, Welsh Government Ministers will be attending remembrance events across the country, as will many Members of the Senedd. I was able to mark the start of the remembrance period this year by launching the north Wales Royal British Legion poppy appeal in Flint. Slightly further from home, it will be a particular honour for me to join the War Widows Association at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Saturday for their own particular act of remembrance.
In expressing our gratitude to the armed services across Wales, we do so this year in the aftermath of an extraordinary period in our history, with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The arrangements in respect of this were an all-consuming task, delivered with huge professionalism from the services both on parade and those working behind the scenes. The Queen's passing and increasingly that of her generation, adds to the poignancy felt during the remembrance period, as with each year as we gather to reflect, we do so with fewer of that greatest generation that fought fascism in the second world war. Indeed, the funeral is taking place today of Ted Edwards, the last D-Day veteran, from Wrexham. In paying tribute to Ted, the chair of north Wales district British Legion George Rogers said, 'He'll be sorely missed by all concerned, a true and honourable gentlemen. On behalf of the Royal British Legion north Wales district, we thank you, Ted, for your service to your country.'
We have rightly previously expressed our gratitude here for the support that our armed forces provided to COVID operations in communities across the country. This year, though, has seen the armed services return to more ordinary training and operational activity. As part of this, I had the pleasure of seeing 160th (Welsh) Brigade resume its delivery of Exercise Cambrian Patrol last month. I saw how regular and reserve soldiers worked together to deliver an arduous test of patrolling skills that puts Wales very much on the international map. I also learned about how the army works with cadet forces across Wales, supporting safe training and providing opportunities for young people.
My recent visits have also included to a number of veterans' groups, and this debate provides a timely opportunity to highlight the work that Fighting With Pride, the LGBTQ+ veterans' charity, is doing to encourage participation in the independent review of the pre-2000 gay ban within the armed forces. Through meeting Fighting With Pride veterans, I was moved by their shared stories of lives led in secret, careers ruined and legacy issues that remain even now. Whilst the damage done cannot be underestimated, the hurt and harms live on for many. This is an opportunity towards righting a historic wrong. The evidence-gathering phase of the review comes to a close at the end of this month on 1 December, and I would encourage anybody impacted to take the opportunity to submit evidence. I met Ruth Birch from Fighting With Pride at the festival of remembrance on Saturday evening, and I think there's been concern of records being destroyed or lost by the Ministry of Defence, and she really wanted me to put that message today that you can take part in the review, regardless, and to encourage as many people as possible to do so.
We continue to work together in partnership in support of our armed forces and veterans community. Welsh Government meets regularly with the heads of the three armed services in Wales, and I look forward to them providing a briefing session to ministerial colleagues later this month. Likewise, we remain committed to the strength of the collaborative working through our armed forces expert group, which met most recently last month. And also, there is the link that my colleague Darren Millar provides to the cross-party group on armed forces and cadets, which is a positive one, and I am sure that Members will wish to note that.
Our annual report on covenant delivery published on 28 October provides a summary of activity towards the end of March this year, though time has not stood still since then, and progress continues to be made. The report shows the range of areas where delivery of the armed forces covenant is dependent on Welsh Government action. Progress made since our last armed forces debate in the Senedd includes continued investment in Veterans' NHS Wales, which now totals £920,000 a year, following the £235,000 uplift provided last year. This has allowed the service to maintain the provision of therapy across Wales, supporting veterans when they need it. We have also committed to continuing funding for the service children in education programme, and we've been supporting workshops on suicide prevention and delivering mental health first aid training. Most recently, we have funded a study into the experience of women veterans across Wales, as well as supporting and delivering employment events, including preparations for our 2022 veterans employment fair next week.
Our armed forces liaison officers are key in maintaining momentum on the armed forces covenant. This year will present additional challenge, as we anticipate a duty of due regard coming into force very shortly. Working to help local authorities, health boards, schools and other organisations through this change will be key this year, building on their widely recognised work in communities across Wales. That is why the Welsh Government is committed to continuing to fund our armed forces liaison officers.
The last year has also seen the appointment of a veterans commissioner for Wales. Colonel James Phillips is still relatively early into his appointment, but I've met him on a number of occasions already, and have been pleased to welcome him to the armed forces expert group. James has been conducting what I believe is termed intelligence preparation of the battlefield, familiarising himself with the issues in Wales and how he fits into the veteran space. This has included meetings with myself and other Ministers, and we look forward to a positive and probing relationship as he works alongside Welsh Government on behalf of veterans here in Wales.
In closing, I want to put on record the commitment of the Welsh Government to providing ongoing support to a community that we all owe so much, to express our gratitude to our armed forces community—regular, reservist, veterans, cadets, their families and the dedicated charities and groups that support them. Thank you. Today, this week and throughout the year, we reflect and recognise past service and sacrifice. We will remember them.