This week, the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill passed Third Reading in the House of Commons.

The Bill will establish the country’s first ever independent Armed Forces Commissioner, a voice to champion service personnel and their families.

The last Conservative Government underfunded and overlooked our Armed Forces, leading morale in the military to record lows – with just four in ten personnel reporting satisfaction.

Just last month, shocking statistics revealed that nearly 5,000 members of the Armed Forces were relying on Universal Credit before the election.

The Labour Government is determined to turn this around – raising military morale and putting people back at the heart of our defence plan. The Armed Forces Commissioner is a central part of this mission.

The Commissioner will have powers to investigate issues affecting service life and will be a direct point of contact for serving personnel and their families.

With powers to access information and defence sites, the Commissioner will spend time with personnel informally, to hear directly from our forces and see first hand the realities of service life.

The Commissioner will make recommendations to Parliament through Thematic Reports and an Annual Report.

Alongside this landmark Bill, our support includes the largest pay rise to our Armed Forces in over 20 years, expanding wraparound childcare for service families deployed overseas, tackling the recruitment and retention crisis, and bringing military housing back into military ownership.

Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, commented:

“Under the last Government, the morale of service personnel sank to a record low. The Labour Government is determined to turn the page.

“I am delighted that the new Armed Forces Commissioner will champion and support our dedicated service personnel and their families.

“I am proud of the work I have undertaken with our armed forces since being elected to Parliament, and to be the Co-Chair of the RAFA Commons and Lords Branch, and will continue to champion our armed forces at every opportunity.”

John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, said:

“Our government is delivering on our manifesto commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve. The new Armed Forces Commissioner will be a strong, independent voice for our forces to improve service life.

“Our government will always stand up for those who serve our country, and our Armed Forces will always have our fullest support. That’s why we have already confirmed the largest pay rise for personnel in over 20 years, and are taking further steps today.

“The Armed Forces Commissioner will champion serving personnel and their families who make great sacrifices to help keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”