Exclusive
AT YOUR SERVICE
Ex soldiers who risked their lives for our country deserve better, declares new veterans minister Al Carns
Al Carns was among five new Labour MPs given top jobs by Sir Keir Starmer
FORMER soldiers who risked their lives for our country deserve better, the new veterans minister declares today.
Al Carns pledged to waste no time in bettering their housing, job prospects and mental health.
1
The ex-Marines Colonel left the military after 24 years ahead of the election and was among five new Labour MPs given top jobs by Sir Keir Starmer.
Mr Carns tells The Sun: “I am ready for this task. I’m under no illusions that many of our Armed Forces and veterans feel let down or forgotten.
"I will do everything I can to ensure that they get the support they deserve.”
The ex-commando, awarded the Military Cross for his service in Afghanistan, also stressed the need to respond to those undermining hard-won freedoms.
READ MORE ON VETERANS
Ahead of a Strategic Defence Review launching next week, Mr Carns warned: “We need change and fast.”
The review will set out plans to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.
New PM Sir Keir was criticised for not putting a dedicated veterans minister in the Cabinet as the Tories did with Johnny Mercer.
Instead Defence Secretary John Healey will fight their corner at the Cabinet table.
Most read in The Sun
Mr Carns added: “This is a government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country.
“We will give nothing less to this task than what those brave and talented men and women have given for our nation.”
D-Day Veteran shares harrowing experience and stresses importance of educating youth
'GETTING TO WORK FOR OUR VETERANS'
By Al Carns, Veterans Minister
AS a Royal Marine Commando, I served in every major conflict of the last twenty years, and I have seen countless acts of courage, selflessness and kindness from the exceptional men and women of our Armed Forces. Proof that they are the best of us.
The world is becoming increasingly fractious. Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine brought war to Europe, and autocratic states are degrading the very freedoms so many British and Allied forces fought to protect in WWII.
I have seen first-hand the impact of 14 years of defence cuts, and I have seen up close how the very character of warfare is changing.
That's why I stood for election as an MP. We need change and fast. And that's why I'm honoured to be appointed as the Minister for Veterans and People.
I am ready for this task. I’m under no illusions that many of our Armed Forces and veterans feel let down or forgotten. I will do everything I can to ensure they get the support they deserve.
And I am so pleased to be part of the Defence Secretary's team. He will be a stalwart advocate for veterans and armed forces personnel and their families at the Cabinet table.
We're not wasting a moment in getting to work for our veterans. I've been out this week meeting some of our exceptional veterans and hearing their stories.
Next week we launch our Strategic Defence Review, and we are laser focused on solving the challenges facing our forces, and our veterans: fixing military accommodation, sorting out recruitment and retention, and improving veterans' support around employment, mental health, and housing.
This is a government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. Our new Labour Government will give nothing less to this task than what those brave and talented men and women have given for our nation.
Topics