Last month, MPs held the first full meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Armed Forces Community.
APPGs are informal cross-party groups set up to discuss and address specific issues.
The Group is chaired by Labour MP Calvin Bailey, a former RAF Wing Commander, with support from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty , an Army veteran, Labour MP Alex Baker, who represents Aldershot Garrison in Parliament, and Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin, a former Army Officer.
Our role
The Group provides an opportunity for parliamentarians to learn more about the issues affecting the Armed Forces Community so that they are better able to advocate for change. RBL assists the group by acting as the Secretariat.
Pictured Linda Slapakova from RAND, Calvin Bailey MP, Dr Nick Caddick from Anglia Ruskin University, Dr Nicola Gillin from Anglia Ruskin University, Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Alex Baker MP at the APPG meeting
Service life for non-UK personnel and families
The meeting discussed members of the Armed Forces community who are non-UK passport holders, focusing issues they face, such as removing barriers to family life.
Personnel from the Commonwealth and other overseas nations have played a crucial role in the UK Armed Forces throughout the 20th and 21st centuries and there are over 7500 non-UK personnel currently serving.
Since 2022, RBL’s Stop the Service charge campaign has called for the removal Leave to Remain fees for families of non-UK Armed Forces personnel serving in the UK Armed Forces.
Dr Nick Caddick, Dr Nicola Gillin and Linda Slapakova presented research to attendees on the challenges faced by non-UK personnel in the British Armed Forces. Their research shows that some non-UK personnel face particular challenges, with career progression, with family life and finding employment after service.
As a result of the meeting MPs undertook to raise issues with the Minister for People and Veterans. We are happy to have supported parliamentarians to establish the APPG and are committed to continuing to raise awareness about the issues affecting all members of our Armed Forces community.
To find out more about the work we are doing to support this APPG, our Stop the Service campaign or if you have any questions, please get in touch at [email protected].
