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Backing for Armed Forces Day plan Backing for Armed Forces Day plan
(10 minutes later)
An Armed Forces Day public holiday has been recommended by a government-backed study looking into improving public recognition of the military.An Armed Forces Day public holiday has been recommended by a government-backed study looking into improving public recognition of the military.
The report by MP Quentin Davies also said more state school pupils should be encouraged to join cadet forces.The report by MP Quentin Davies also said more state school pupils should be encouraged to join cadet forces.
The 40 recommendations included making it a criminal offence to discriminate against people in military uniform.The 40 recommendations included making it a criminal offence to discriminate against people in military uniform.
Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said the proposals would better recognise the work of the military.Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said the proposals would better recognise the work of the military.
Veterans' roleVeterans' role
Mr Davies' report said the annual public holiday should also recognise the role veterans have played in the armed forces.Mr Davies' report said the annual public holiday should also recognise the role veterans have played in the armed forces.
It said: "If the government were minded to propose to Parliament the creation of another public holiday, we believe that an Armed Forces and Veterans' Day on a set Friday or Monday at the end of June would be the right solution."It said: "If the government were minded to propose to Parliament the creation of another public holiday, we believe that an Armed Forces and Veterans' Day on a set Friday or Monday at the end of June would be the right solution."
This report provides firm foundations to ensure that the work of our armed forces is better understood and recognised Bob AinsworthArmed Forces MinisterThis report provides firm foundations to ensure that the work of our armed forces is better understood and recognised Bob AinsworthArmed Forces Minister
Other recommendations included encouraging military personnel to wear their uniforms in public; including military awareness in the national curriculum; and ensuring homecoming parades for troops returning from combat.Other recommendations included encouraging military personnel to wear their uniforms in public; including military awareness in the national curriculum; and ensuring homecoming parades for troops returning from combat.
The proposal on discrimination follows several high-profile incidents, including one when an army officer in uniform was refused entry to Harrods' London department store on Remembrance Day.The proposal on discrimination follows several high-profile incidents, including one when an army officer in uniform was refused entry to Harrods' London department store on Remembrance Day.
Troops at Birmingham and Edinburgh airports were told to change into civilian clothes, and RAF personnel have been intimidated and abused in Peterborough.Troops at Birmingham and Edinburgh airports were told to change into civilian clothes, and RAF personnel have been intimidated and abused in Peterborough.
Mr Ainsworth said such events were "totally and utterly unacceptable".Mr Ainsworth said such events were "totally and utterly unacceptable".
'Tremendous bravery' 'Huge debt'
The government believes gaining a better understanding of the military should start in schools and wants to offer more state pupils the opportunity to get involved with cadet units.The government believes gaining a better understanding of the military should start in schools and wants to offer more state pupils the opportunity to get involved with cadet units.
There are currently 60 cadet forces in comprehensive schools in England and Wales, compared with 200 in grammar and independent schools.There are currently 60 cadet forces in comprehensive schools in England and Wales, compared with 200 in grammar and independent schools.
HAVE YOUR SAYThe purpose of the Armed Forces Day is misjudged. People do not resent Army personnel, but the war in Iraq.Peter JonesSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThe purpose of the Armed Forces Day is misjudged. People do not resent Army personnel, but the war in Iraq.Peter JonesSend us your comments
Although military training could provide young people with skills it should not be made compulsory, Mr Davies said.Although military training could provide young people with skills it should not be made compulsory, Mr Davies said.
He told BBC News: "We aren't going to do anything on a compulsory basis because it doesn't work that way.
"If you want to make a success of these things the individual children taking part have got to be motivated, they've got to volunteer, got to be proud of what they're doing."
Mr Ainsworth said: "Our service personnel continue to demonstrate the tremendous bravery and courage that makes them the best in the world.
"This report provides firm foundations to ensure that the work of our armed forces is better understood and recognised by the nation they serve."
'Huge debt'
Mr Ainsworth said the cross-government Service Personnel Command Paper would soon be published, which would set out the government's proposals for "further improving the lives of our troops, their families and veterans".Mr Ainsworth said the cross-government Service Personnel Command Paper would soon be published, which would set out the government's proposals for "further improving the lives of our troops, their families and veterans".
The Ministry of Defence welcomed the report and said some of the recommendations were already being worked on.The Ministry of Defence welcomed the report and said some of the recommendations were already being worked on.
The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Timothy Granville-Chapman, said: "Mr Davies's report highlights the huge debt the nation owes to its sailors, soldiers and airmen.The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Timothy Granville-Chapman, said: "Mr Davies's report highlights the huge debt the nation owes to its sailors, soldiers and airmen.
"There is increasing public acknowledgement of this, and support for the armed forces in terms of homecoming parades and charitable giving has been received very well by those in uniform.""There is increasing public acknowledgement of this, and support for the armed forces in terms of homecoming parades and charitable giving has been received very well by those in uniform."
READ THE REPORTREAD THE REPORT
MoD report into national recognition of UK armed forces [573k] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader hereMoD report into national recognition of UK armed forces [573k] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader here
Albert Beale, of the pacifist Peace Pledge Union, said he disagreed with the concept of an Armed Forces Day.Albert Beale, of the pacifist Peace Pledge Union, said he disagreed with the concept of an Armed Forces Day.
"The idea that we celebrate the fact that people go around killing one another is just an anathema to me," he said."The idea that we celebrate the fact that people go around killing one another is just an anathema to me," he said.
The CBI supported the idea of celebrating the armed forces but said it should be done on an existing bank holiday. The CBI, which represents business leaders, supported the idea of celebrating the armed forces but said it should be done on an existing bank holiday.
Deputy director-general John Cridland said: "Statutory holiday entitlement is being increased from 20 to 28 days over the next two years, which will be a big improvement for many workers but comes at a substantial cost to firms.Deputy director-general John Cridland said: "Statutory holiday entitlement is being increased from 20 to 28 days over the next two years, which will be a big improvement for many workers but comes at a substantial cost to firms.
"Offering staff an extra bank holiday would cost the economy up to £6bn on top.""Offering staff an extra bank holiday would cost the economy up to £6bn on top."
Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: "It's pleasing to see that the government appears now to be paying attention to concerns we and others have been voicing for months about the need for a better relationship between the armed forces, government and society.Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: "It's pleasing to see that the government appears now to be paying attention to concerns we and others have been voicing for months about the need for a better relationship between the armed forces, government and society.
"We note they have taken on board our suggestions to expand the role of cadet forces in state schools, to encourage service personnel to wear their uniforms more and to encourage discount offers to serving personnel and veterans.""We note they have taken on board our suggestions to expand the role of cadet forces in state schools, to encourage service personnel to wear their uniforms more and to encourage discount offers to serving personnel and veterans."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey welcomed the report and said many of the proposals were good common sense.Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey welcomed the report and said many of the proposals were good common sense.
"It is essential that the British public understands the huge sacrifice and commitment made by our servicemen and women," he said."It is essential that the British public understands the huge sacrifice and commitment made by our servicemen and women," he said.
Last year, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the Army, expressed concerns about a "growing gulf between the Army and the nation".Last year, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the Army, expressed concerns about a "growing gulf between the Army and the nation".