8. Debate: Support for the Armed Forces Community

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:30 pm on 8 November 2022.

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Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 5:30, 8 November 2022

Diolch, Llywydd. Can I first of all thank Members for their contributions in this debate today, which falls, as we said, in the remembrance period, a time for us all to reflect and recognise those who have served, those who continue to serve and, as we've heard, those who've made the ultimate sacrifice? I think I will struggle very much in the time remaining to refer to each and every point that every Member made, but can I just say that the fact that there were so many contributions is testament to the recognition and service of our armed forces community and veterans by Members from right across this Chamber?

If I first turn to the Plaid Cymru amendment and Peredur's contribution, we very much support that amendment. It's one that, I think, we can all subscribe to, particularly, as you said, in the current, poignant context of the terrible images we're seeing of suffering from Ukraine, and elsewhere in the world for that matter. The awful reality of war is the inevitable suffering of civilians, as well as those who serve in the armed forces. We should all, of course, strive for peace, and our Academi Heddwch, the Peace Academy, which we fund, based in the temple of peace in Cardiff recognises that and builds on that important Welsh tradition, as well as our role and aspirations to be a nation of sanctuary, which is also important, recognising the impact of war on civilians and the role we can play to provide refuge, warmth and hope.

Many Members talked about the need for building on the support that's already there for veterans, and also the challenges that many of our veterans face in common with, perhaps, many members of our communities at the moment, sadly, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. I'm sure that Members should have had this sent around to them, but we've rightly heard reflections of appreciation for the role that the Royal British Legion plays in supporting veterans, and I would very much share that recognition of the role that they play. But the Royal British Legion has recently sent information around about the support that they are providing for veterans, and if Members haven't seen that already, I would urge them to look at their website and to actually share that with their constituents. Obviously, there are many third sector organisations that work with veterans, such as Woody's Lodge and elsewhere, that are making sure that veterans are aware of the benefits and things that they are, rightly, entitled to.

We've heard about the progress made across the years from the Armed Forces Act and the covenant. And Mark Isherwood mentioned the veterans' awards, which I've been very pleased to attend, the past couple of years. It's good to see them going from strength to strength and really paying tribute and recognising how those who have served, our veterans, have gone on to contribute to our communities in very many different ways, making a huge impact and a huge difference.

Darren, just to put—[Interruption.] That wasn't Darren, I don't think [Laughter.] Just to touch, though, on—you referenced those three heads of the armed forces here in Wales, Brigadier Fraser, Commodore Dai Williams and Brigadier Dawes, and I very much want to join you in thanking them for all that they do. I'm genuinely very pleased about the close working relationship that we've been able to build as a Welsh Government with them, with regular meetings, not just seeing each other at the various events, and actually looking forward to them being able to speak to a broad range of Ministers later this month. But I can't understand why Brigadier Dawes wants to swap Brecon for the warmer climates of Cyprus.

Many Members have talked about what they will do, as we all pay tribute this weekend and on Friday, on Remembrance Day itself, attending those services in communities right across the country. We've also heard from Sam Kurtz and James Evans of the importance of the armed forces community to their constituencies, and where they live, not just historically, but in the present day, and the value of that footprint here in communities across Wales, which is why we will always work with our counterparts in the UK Government to maintain and retain that footprint here in Wales. 

Just in closing, we talked about the need—. We've all touched on how, as every year passes in remembrance, those who fought in the second world war, we see few of them there at the cenotaph able to come and pay tribute to those who they served with, most poignantly, as well. And I think, from what my colleagues Jack Sargeant and Alun Davies said, the importance of keeping that history alive—that we pass that onto future generations and we learn from the conflicts of the past in the hope that they are not repeated in the future as well.

A number of Members talked about how—. I welcome the positive comments about the work that the Welsh Government is doing, but, as always, as anything, we should always be ambitious to build on that work and do more. I recognise that, in previous years, this has been a remembrance debate and it's now become an annual debate, but I know that previously, there has been a statement around Armed Forces Day, and I'd perhaps like to commit here today to try and bring back again in the future, to enable us to have an opportunity to perhaps look in more detail at the support for those who are serving now, and our veterans now, as we focus today more on the importance of remembrance. 

So, in closing, I would like just to thank Members once again for their contributions, and just to commit this Welsh Government's support to our veterans and those who continue to serve our country at this very important time of year. Diolch yn fawr.