MP Antony Higginbotham has praised the work of local veteran groups in Burnley and Padiham, using his time in Parliament to speak about the need to support those who have served in our armed forces and defended our freedoms.
Speaking in the House of Commons Antony said:
In Burnley and Padiham we've long supported our armed forces and our veteran community, including through brilliant local organisations like Healthier Heroes, the Burnley and Padiham Branch of the RBL and Veterans in the Communities.
But also, local events like Padiham on Parade, which takes place every June as part of Armed Forces Week.
So can I invite my right Honourable Friend [Johnny Mercer MP] to Burnley, to sit with these organisations to see what more we can do to join up government support with local organisations – to make sure this is the best country to be a veteran.
Responding, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:
I thank my friend and I thank him for his continued advocacy of a cause I know is dear to his heart. What the Office of Veterans Affairs is all about doing is blending third sector and statutory provision.
Veterans don’t care where their care comes from, as long as it's professional evidenced base, they have that community. It's our responsibility to ensure that care through the Office for Veterans Affairs, but it would be often be delivered by different groups across the country.
And as he's highlighted, there, there’s some wonderful groups up in Burnley doing that. I'd be more than delighted to come and visit and sit down with him and talk about how we can support them better.
Commenting after the debate Antony Higginbotham MP said
We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have served. And it’s right that local organisations supporting veterans within our borough receive the recognition they deserve.
Government is making some really positive moves in this area, most recently by running the first ever veterans survey. That’s been about finding out more information from those who know best. And listening to the experiences of our veterans when accessing public services.
But I’m committed to doing everything I can to support them further and look forward to welcoming the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs to our borough so he can see for himself some the challenges faced and how we can support this proud community even further.
