David Heath backs British Legion campaign.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 28th Sep 2007

Heath backs British Legion's Honour the Covenant campaign

David Heath has added his support to the British Legion's 'Honour the Covenant' campaign, which calls on the Government 'to honour its life-long duty of care to those making a unique commitment to their country'.

The campaign is based upon the idea of the 'Military Covenant', where the nation promises to support people in the armed services in return for the risks they take in fighting for their country.

The campaign is specifically calling for:

a just compensation scheme

increased support for the physical and mental health of servicemen and women and their families

improved support for bereaved Service families.

These issues and others affecting our service personnel were discussed at the inaugural meeting of the Liberal Democrat Friends of the Armed Services group at the Autumn Conference in Brighton last week, which Mr. Heath chaired. The group has been set up following an initiative from local Lib Dem Cllr. Damon Hooton - a former Army officer.

David Heath said: "I cannot speak highly enough of the work the British Legion do and their 'Honour the Covenant' campaign, which calls for greater support for servicemen and women and their families in the spirit of the Military Covenant, has my unequivocal backing.

"At a time when our armed forces are overstretched and there are so many people from our area serving overseas, this campaign is especially necessary. These brave men and women will need the best support this country can offer them when they return from Afghanistan and Iraq.

"The huge sacrifices made by these people who put themselves at risk must be rewarded with the help and support they and their families deserve - in terms of a better compensation scheme; improved healthcare, both physical and mental; and greater support for bereaved families.

"During the Friends of the Armed Forces meeting at the Liberal Democrat Conference last week, it was clear from the audience's reaction how strongly people feel about these issues and others like pay, the shortage of equipment and the inadequacy of military housing."