Tories plan to give firms that hire Armed Forces veterans one year National Insurance holiday

FIRMS that hire Armed Forces personnel will be given a one year employer's National Insurance holiday under new Tory plans.

And to the delight of veterans vowed to set up an official Whitehall Veterans Board within Cabinet Office to look after ex-servicemen and women.

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It came as promised to pull troops out from the European Convention on Human Rights to fend off tank chasing lawyers pursuing trumped up claims against our boys.

But in a worry for the Forces, the Tory manifesto signalled that the Army could be cut to below 82,000 full-time troops.

The Army says it needs 82,000 trained full-time troops to operate effectively but the Tories are seeking flexibility around the figure over concerns about recruitment levels.

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However, the 12 month NICs waiver has been drawn up to try boost the number outgoing troops find good jobs.

Theresa May last night promised to make sure “skills and qualifications gained in service are recognised by civilian employers.”

The new Veterans Board will “ensure better co-ordination of government services to veterans, including housing, employment and mental health services.”

Last night ex-Army officer turned Tory MP Johnny Mercer welcomed the election pledges, saying: “I have consistently asked No10 to establish a cross-government body outside the MoD to pull together the various strands of Veterans care across Government, so I am pleased this opportunity has been taken.

He added: “Doing our duty by those who serve is one of the most important roles of Government and I hope this is the start of a more comprehensive approach to Veteran’s care.”

The Conservative manifesto also states that investigating Northern Ireland’s violent past should not focus unfairly on members of the armed forces.

And it pledged to vigorously oppose any rewriting of history that could justify terrorism.