Addressing the conference, Dave McCrossen – Usdaw Deputy General Secretary said: “As a society, we have a duty to care for those who have served our country with courage and dedication. No matter how dangerous the circumstances, our armed forces have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedom and way of life and we owe them a debt of gratitude that simply cannot be repaid.
 
“It is essential that we do not merely pay lip service to this obligation, but instead take concrete action to provide support and assistance. Unfortunately, many veterans face significant challenges when a military career comes to an end, especially if it has been cut short by injury or illness. Overnight, service leavers lose not only their job, but also very often their home and a support network that is like family.
 
“This huge loss can make it incredibly difficult to transition back to civilian life. From physical and mental health issues, to struggling to find employment, the challenges our veterans face are numerous and complex. Challenges that can make it hard to maintain stable housing and lead to financial insecurity and social isolation.
 
“The Government's rough sleeping strategy, published in September, revealed 6 per cent of UK nationals who were street homeless served in the armed forces. This is an injustice and it is clear that more needs to be done to support our veterans. The Government must take responsibility for ensuring that those who have served our country receive the care and resources they need to thrive.
 
“This should include: More investment in job training programmes and creating employment opportunities specifically designed for veterans; better support for service leavers finding safe and affordable housing, such as financial support for emergency housing and targeted outreach efforts, and increased funding for mental health services specifically targeted at veterans, including improved access to existing resources. These are just a few of the many ways in which the Government can support our veteran community.
 
“Our veterans have the skills, experience and expertise to contribute to our country long after their military service ends. By investing in the wellbeing of service leavers, we are not only honouring their sacrifices, but also strengthening our society as a whole. The Government must take immediate action to provide more support for those who have served and to ensure that they are able to lead healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives after their service to our country ends.“
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion