Supporting Our Armed Forces and Veterans

As a veteran, and a member of the veteran community in Wrexham, I know that more can be done to help those that have served our country. I am pleased that this Government wants to make the United Kingdom the best place in the world to be a veteran and is already doing much to make improvements.

Here in Wrexham, I have visited the Veterans’ Wing at HMP Berwyn to better understand what life is like for veterans who unfortunately fall into cycles of offending. I have been working with the Minister for Prisons and the Royal British Legion to secure additional funding for charities that support the Veterans’ Wing at HMP Berwyn, as well as veterans that have recently been released from prison.

As a member of the Defence Select Committee I am leading an inquiry into the female military and veteran experience. I’ve heard first-hand from many serving females and veterans about their positive and negative experiences in the military, giving many women a voice. Once the inquiry is over, I’ll keep working to ensure women’s experience of the military improves.

News

Ajax Armoured Fighting Vehicle

Today, during the statement from Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin MP, on the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle, I asked the Minister about the use of taxpayers' money and the cost of the ammunition. 

You can read the full question and answer below: 

Question:

Afghanistan Debate: 18 August 2021

I am grateful that I was able to contribute to the General Debate on the situation in Afghanistan, during which I spoke up for those that fought for us and worked with us, women and girls that deserve better and to make sure we learn from what has happened. 

UK Government Ministers visit Wrexham

Today Wrexham welcomed three UK Government Ministers in a day of visits across the town with bringing attention to Wrexham businesses, HMP Berwyn, Wrexham AFC and the Job Centre. 

Visiting Salute Her UK

Following on from my report launch into the female military experience last week, it was a pleasure to visit Forward Assist and Salute Her UK, of which I am a Patron, to see first-hand the excellent work they do supporting women who have served in our Armed Forces. I have worked closely with Paul

Wrexham's Best Pub!

In June, I opened a competition on my website to find Wrexham's best pub - right in time for summer and the continued reopening of our town. 

I am pleased to announce the winners of the competition were The Long Pull on Chester Street and The Nags Head on Mount Street!

Joining Wrexham's Cadets on their summer camp!

This week, I visited the Albuhera Companies, part of Clwyd and Gwynedd Cadets, summer camp in Kinmel Park Camp. During the day, it was great to chat to the cadets and staff and to be able to observe the final phases of the fieldcraft exercise.

Defence Select Committee - 'AJAX: recent developments'

Today, the Defence Select Committee held a special session on the AJAX, noting recent reports about the AJAX programme, with General Dynamics and the Minister for Defence Procurement. 

You can find out more about the session here.

Defence Select Committee - 'Space Defence'

Space is fundamental to modern warfare and security. It is now recognised as a military domain in its own right, with space-based assets playing an essential role in supporting operations.

Seeing Wrexham's Cadets in action

It was a pleasure to visit the Wrexham Cadet Detachment at Hightown Barracks to meet the cadets and staff, see the cadets' activities in action as well as to celebrate the Detachment Commander, James Heyward, who was recognised as one of my three 'Covid Community Champions' thanks to his efforts