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Congleton Liberal DemocratsCampaigning all year round for the people of Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Alsager, Middlewich, Sandbach and surrounding areas. |
Renewing the Military Covenant - letter to Congleton Chronicle
November 25, 2009 9:12 PM
Dear Sir,
It is with pride that I watched while Liberal Democrat members voted to reaffirm the military covenant at our recent Autumn Conference.
It is scandalous that we pay over 60,000 serving personnel, including soldiers on the front line in Afghanistan, less than the starting salary of a police officer or fire fighter.
Thirteen thousand members of the armed forces take home less than £17,000 each year.
Years of neglect by successive Labour and Conservative Governments have left three quarters of service family accommodation in England alone below the highest standard, with much of it in an unacceptable condition.
We voted to bring the basic pay of lower ranks and NCOs into line with equivalent police ranks, so that we pay a private in Afghanistan no less than a newly qualified police constable, funded through MOD staff restructuring.
We also voted for members of the armed forces and their immediate family to be entitled to housing, within three months of their last date of paid service, in the local authority area where they last lived before signing up.
I supported amendments for them to be offered apprenticeships, other training or employment along with proper medical provision for all current and former service personnel.
This would include post-conflict debriefings, counselling at any time of their life and adequate facilities for relatives to visit during hospital treatment and recovery.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Peter Hirst
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Congleton
Rushton Drive
Middlewich
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