This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/14/military-forces-community-champions-labour
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Armed forces veterans need community champions, says Labour | Armed forces veterans need community champions, says Labour |
| (30 days later) | |
| Armed forces veterans must have a champion in every community to help them find work and get medical help, Labour will insist, as the party launches a nationwide campaign to support thousands of former military personnel. | Armed forces veterans must have a champion in every community to help them find work and get medical help, Labour will insist, as the party launches a nationwide campaign to support thousands of former military personnel. |
| In a bid to make Labour the party of the services at a time of severe job and budget cuts, the leadership hopes the initiative will help bridge the gap for soldiers, sailors and air crews who are facing an uncertain future in Civvy Street. | In a bid to make Labour the party of the services at a time of severe job and budget cuts, the leadership hopes the initiative will help bridge the gap for soldiers, sailors and air crews who are facing an uncertain future in Civvy Street. |
| Later this month, the army is to launch another tranche of redundancies, seeking up to 5,000 cuts before the end of this year and a further 4,000 next year, as it reduces in size by a fifth to 82,000. The RAF and the Royal Navy have already made thousands of people redundant since the 2010 strategic defence and security review. | Later this month, the army is to launch another tranche of redundancies, seeking up to 5,000 cuts before the end of this year and a further 4,000 next year, as it reduces in size by a fifth to 82,000. The RAF and the Royal Navy have already made thousands of people redundant since the 2010 strategic defence and security review. |
| Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, will set out details of the proposal during a visit on Monday to an area in east London where the British National party has won support, partly because it has targeted former servicemen and women who have struggled to find work. | Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, will set out details of the proposal during a visit on Monday to an area in east London where the British National party has won support, partly because it has targeted former servicemen and women who have struggled to find work. |
| The local council in Barking and Dagenham will announce it is appointing a cabinet member for the armed forces with responsibility for looking after the welfare of ex-military personnel. | The local council in Barking and Dagenham will announce it is appointing a cabinet member for the armed forces with responsibility for looking after the welfare of ex-military personnel. |
| The veterans' champion should provide a "one-stop shop" for those resettling into a local community. Murphy said: "Our country is brilliant at turning civilians into soldiers, but we are not good enough when the time comes to turning soldiers back into civilians. | The veterans' champion should provide a "one-stop shop" for those resettling into a local community. Murphy said: "Our country is brilliant at turning civilians into soldiers, but we are not good enough when the time comes to turning soldiers back into civilians. |
| "Transition from military to civilian life can be difficult and distressing. A one-stop shop for access to services and entitlements would make an enormous difference. Veterans' champions would help those who have performed heroics overseas find a new home or job. | "Transition from military to civilian life can be difficult and distressing. A one-stop shop for access to services and entitlements would make an enormous difference. Veterans' champions would help those who have performed heroics overseas find a new home or job. |
| "Each council could take this step in a way that best serves local needs. We want to strengthen the bond between military and civilian communities, making the military covenant a reality for everyone." | "Each council could take this step in a way that best serves local needs. We want to strengthen the bond between military and civilian communities, making the military covenant a reality for everyone." |
| A few local authorities already have a dedicated veterans' champion, but Labour wants every council to consider employing one. | A few local authorities already have a dedicated veterans' champion, but Labour wants every council to consider employing one. |
| Labour fears that on their return from the frontline, many former service personnel struggle with the transition from military to civilian life, finding it hard to access the services they require. They are also unaware of the benefits available to them. | Labour fears that on their return from the frontline, many former service personnel struggle with the transition from military to civilian life, finding it hard to access the services they require. They are also unaware of the benefits available to them. |
| With a point person to go to, former members of the military could find out which charities work in the area, and what support they could rely on – particularly if they are suffering from mental health problems. | With a point person to go to, former members of the military could find out which charities work in the area, and what support they could rely on – particularly if they are suffering from mental health problems. |
| In Barking and Dagenham, the veterans' champion will be the council leader, Liam Smith. Several other councils around the country are announcing similar plans; they include Carlisle, Plymouth, Slough, Ipswich and Newcastle-under-Lyme in the West Midlands. | In Barking and Dagenham, the veterans' champion will be the council leader, Liam Smith. Several other councils around the country are announcing similar plans; they include Carlisle, Plymouth, Slough, Ipswich and Newcastle-under-Lyme in the West Midlands. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |