Prime Minister meets trainee pilots and sees a flight simulator at RAF Valley
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met trainee pilots and their families and was shown a flight simulator on a visit to RAF Valley on Anglesey. The No 10. leader made the visit yesterday to help mark Armed Forces Day today as he prepared to attend the Welsh Labour Party conference in Llandudno.
Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday of June. It is a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the UK's military units. The PM was joined at RAF Valley by Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan MS and Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens MP.
Today on Armed Forces Day there will be events to support serving personnel, service families, veterans and cadets. They will take place across the country with a national event in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday
It comes as the Government confirms plans for the first time that all government departments will have to legally consider the needs of the Armed Forces community when making new policy.
More details of the legal duty will be set out in due course but could include initiatives such as extending travel benefits to the families of veterans and the bereaved, or flexible working for partners of serving personnel who are required to move as part for their role in the Armed Forces.
The Government says this delivers on a manifesto promise and is part of the Government's commitment to renew the nation's contract with those who serve and following the Strategic Defence Review, which underscored the role the Armed Forces play in protecting our national security, which it says is the foundation of the Government's Plan for Change.
The Government says it is committed to renewing its contract with the Armed Forces community, delivering two above inflation pay awards for service personnel and an extra £1.5bn investment this parliament to improve forces' family housing through the Strategic Defence Review.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'Across the country and around the world, our service personnel and their families make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and protect our freedom and our way of life.
'When I became Prime Minister, I made a promise to serve those who have served us. Through the new Armed Forces Covenant, we are delivering on that promise - ensuring our service personnel, veterans and their families are treated with the respect they deserve - that is our duty."
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