Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day, a really important celebration in Britain’s national calendar. I am deeply proud of our Armed Forces personnel, their families, and our veterans for the enormous contribution they make to our country, so this annual thank you is essential. To every constituent who serves or works in our military, has contributed in the past, or supports family doing so: we value you.

From deployments abroad in response to the invasion of Ukraine to deployments at home during the COVID 19 pandemic, our Armed Forces are vital to our national defence, our national resilience, and our NATO obligations.

Britain’s armed forces were once the envy of the world, and of course, older generations of Britons remember how necessary that has been in the darkest chapters of European history. The world is changing rapidly and the nature of the threats to our national security have evolved a great deal over the past couple of decades, but none the less, I feel distinctly uncomfortable that under the Conservatives Government, the British Army has been reduced to its smallest size since Napoleon.

By his own admission, the Defence Secretary has acknowledged that he and his colleagues have ‘hollowed out’ the Armed Forces over the last 13 years. In my opinion, the cuts have gone far enough – indeed too far. This Armed Forces Day would be the perfect opportunity for this Government to pledge to end the shrinkage and rebuild our uniformed services.

Britain has a moral contract with those who serve in our Armed Forces and live very different lives in order to keep our nation safe and resilient. And yet, sadly, the reality is forces personnel living in damp and mouldy housing, satisfaction with service life falling well below 50 per cent, and retention rates dropping. To me it goes without saying that our heroes deserve quality housing, pride and dignity in their work, and conditions which demonstrate they are valued.

It’s therefore important that we fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law. The next Labour Government will also strengthen support for veterans, including a plan to bring down waiting times for veteran’s mental health services as part of a one billion pound commitment to ensure everyone receives treatment within a month.

Much like with our nurses, teachers, firefighters and other valued public servants, a round of applause or a thank you mug are appreciated, but a properly supported sector would really mean the world. Those who sacrifice the most should never be at the bottom of the pile. A just Britain doesn’t work like that.