VETERANS GATEWAY HELPLINE

Early day motion 53, tabled 26 June 2017 by Liz Saville-Roberts (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 19 members.

That this House welcomes the Veterans Gateway helpline launched for ex-armed forces personnel; notes that Wales has been chosen as the base for the 24-hour helpline for veterans returning to civilian life; further notes the report’s findings that child recruits are more vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse, self-harm, suicide, death and injury during an armed forces career when compared with either their demographically matched civilian peers or adult recruits; regrets that there is a 64 per cent increased risk of suicide among men under the age of 20 in the Army as compared with the wider population; further welcomes the initiative to give advice on housing, finance and health; supports the £2 million investment honouring the nation’s armed forces; and encourages this initiative in helping our veterans return to civilian life and getting the support they need.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 7, Labour 4, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.