Recognising the sacrifices and delivering real support for those who serve

28th June 2025, Teesside

On Armed Forces Day, we pause to honour the brave men and women who have given so much to serve our country and defend our way of life. It’s a time to reflect on their sacrifices, but also to ensure we back up our gratitude with action.

This year, we’ve delivered real, tangible support for our armed forces:

💂‍♂️ Two record pay rises – a 10.5% boost for armed forces personnel, recognising their dedication and hard work.
🏘 36,000 Armed Forces homes taken back into public hands, ensuring better housing for our service personnel.
🏠 £1.5 billion to repair these homes, providing a better standard of living.
🎖️ £50 million to create a UK-wide network of ‘Op VALOUR’ veteran support centres, addressing crucial issues such as employment, housing, and mental health.
📈 Record defence investment – 5% of GDP on national security by 2035, ensuring a stronger, more secure future.
🛡️ The first-ever Armed Forces Commissioner – an independent champion for service personnel and their families.

Luke Myer MP said:
“This Armed Forces Day, we not only pay tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of our armed forces, but we also show that our commitment to them goes beyond words. The investments we’ve made in pay, housing, and support services demonstrate our gratitude in action. Our forces and their families deserve the very best, and that’s exactly what we’re working to deliver.”

There is still more to do, but these are real steps being taken to support those who have given everything for our country. This is action, not just words.

This Armed Forces Day, I pay tribute to all our forces families, especially those here in Teesside. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment.

References

• Op VALOUR Centres: VALOUR: information and next steps – GOV.UK
• Record defence investment: The Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad – GOV.UK
• 36,000 Armed Forces homes: Government buys back 36,347 military homes to improve housing for forces families and save taxpayers billions – Defence Homes