It was a privilege to have the Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones MP, visit the town last week to meet with people from Hartlepool who had served in the country’s Armed Forces.

The Minister met with Veterans (in appalling weather, if you remember last week) at the restored Heugh Gun Battery. The Battery has played a strong and proud role in the military history of this country for centuries, not least during the Bombardment, when it is said that decisive and professional return fire from the troops from the Battery made the German warships cancel their planned three-hour shelling of the town and make a retreat after less than an hour.

The restoration of the Battery is testimony to the vision, passion and commitment of the likes of Taffy Southcott, Steve Plant and countless others who volunteer and give up their time to secure the future of this important part of our military history. The Minister was extremely impressed with what the Battery Trust had done with the place.

Hartlepool is a strong military town, although it sometimes doesn’t seem that way. We haven’t an army base close by, like Catterick, we don’t have an RAF base next to us, like Linton-on-Ouse (much to my dad’s despair, who loves the RAF) and- although we’re on the coast and have a proud maritime tradition- I wouldn’t say we are a navy town like Plymouth.

Having said that I really enjoy, when I get the chance, to have a drink in the Navy Club. I occasionally end up singing when I come out of the Navy Club after spending time with John Neville and others – I think they must put something in the rum. We in Hartlepool have a great tradition with the Durham Light Infantry, and the Royal Air Force Association are actively recruiting members and doing a lot to advance the objectives of the Association.

There were about 40 Veterans at the event with the Minister last week. There was a great atmosphere, and the Minister mentioned the role that he has in Government, including being the Minister with responsibility for UFOs.

There is more help available to veterans now than ever before. The Service Personnel and Veterans’ Agency provides great support for anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, even if only for a day. This includes a free Veterans UK helpline – 0800 169 2277 and website – www.veterans-uk.info – which provide information, advice and guidance on benefits, compensation payments, pension, employment, awarding of medals and much more.

It is always very humbling when I spend time with Veterans. They are truly inspirational people – the best of British, as I mentioned on Friday. They provided, in dark days like the Second World War, the spirit and fight to beat the enemy. I don’t believe that that those are unique characteristics of that generation: I think the young men and women who are fighting on behalf of our country now display the same character. We should all be immensely proud of what they do for our country and, when they leave the Armed Forces, they should be provided with the best possible help and support there is.

It was a privilege to have the Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones MP, visit the town last week to meet with people from Hartlepool who had served in the country’s Armed Forces.

The Minister met with Veterans (in appalling weather, if you remember last week) at the restored Heugh Gun Battery. The Battery has played a strong and proud role in the military history of this country for centuries, not least during the Bombardment, when it is said that decisive and professional return fire from the troops from the Battery made the German warships cancel their planned three-hour shelling of the town and make a retreat after less than an hour.

The restoration of the Battery is testimony to the vision, passion and commitment of the likes of Taffy Southcott, Steve Plant and countless others who volunteer and give up their time to secure the future of this important part of our military history. The Minister was extremely impressed with what the Battery Trust had done with the place.

Hartlepool is a strong military town, although it sometimes doesn’t seem that way. We haven’t an army base close by, like Catterick, we don’t have an RAF base next to us, like Linton-on-Ouse (much to my dad’s despair, who loves the RAF) and- although we’re on the coast and have a proud maritime tradition- I wouldn’t say we are a navy town like Plymouth.

Having said that I really enjoy, when I get the chance, to have a drink in the Navy Club. I occasionally end up singing when I come out of the Navy Club after spending time with John Neville and others – I think they must put something in the rum. We in Hartlepool have a great tradition with the Durham Light Infantry, and the Royal Air Force Association are actively recruiting members and doing a lot to advance the objectives of the Association.

There were about 40 Veterans at the event with the Minister last week. There was a great atmosphere, and the Minister mentioned the role that he has in Government, including being the Minister with responsibility for UFOs.

There is more help available to veterans now than ever before. The Service Personnel and Veterans’ Agency provides great support for anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, even if only for a day. This includes a free Veterans UK helpline – 0800 169 2277 and website – www.veterans-uk.info – which provide information, advice and guidance on benefits, compensation payments, pension, employment, awarding of medals and much more.

It is always very humbling when I spend time with Veterans. They are truly inspirational people – the best of British, as I mentioned on Friday. They provided, in dark days like the Second World War, the spirit and fight to beat the enemy. I don’t believe that that those are unique characteristics of that generation: I think the young men and women who are fighting on behalf of our country now display the same character. We should all be immensely proud of what they do for our country and, when they leave the Armed Forces, they should be provided with the best possible help and support there is.

Iain today welcomed a multi-million pound package of vital help that the Government is extending to individuals whose health has been put at risk due to exposure to asbestos.
This includes action to help people with asbestos related diseases to claim compensation, increase their upfront payments, and work towards a fund of last resort for people diagnosed with a serious asbestos-related illness who cannot trace their insurance records.
It also includes financial help to people with pleural plaques who were left in limbo by a House of Lords ruling in 2007.
The full list of measures, which was announced as part of the Government’s response to a consultation on pleural plaques (an asbestos related condition) includes:

• An ex-statutory scheme of fixed payments of £5k for individuals who had begun, but not resolved, a legal claim for compensation for pleural plaques at the time of the Law Lords ruling in 2007;

• Work towards the creation of an Employers Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) to help people who develop an asbestos-related disease to trace the relevant insurer and obtain full compensation.

• A consultation on the creation of an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau (ELIB), which will act as a fund of last resort for sufferers of asbestos-related disease who cannot trace the insurance records needed to gain compensation.

• Increased upfront payments for Mesothelioma sufferers and their dependents.

• The establishment of a world-leading network of medical practitioners to research asbestos-related disease, with increased investment from Government alongside £3m funding from the insurance industry;

• Action to examine and streamline litigation practices and procedures to speed up claims relating to Mesothelioma.

Responding to the Government’s decision, Iain said:

“I am delighted that the Government is building on its record of support for asbestos victims with the important measures announced today. In constituencies like Hartlepool, where many people were exposed to asbestos during their working lives, steps to help people gain swifter compensation for asbestos-related disease will be widely welcomed – as will increased investment for medical research in this area.

”The GMB trade union has been working with the Government, other MPs and me to ensure that the injustice of compensation for those suffering from pleural plaques will be stopped. Today’s announcement is a long way towards our ultimate aim of complete compensation, help and support.

“I am very glad there will be fixed payments for people with pleural plaques who had cases in the pipeline before the Law Lords ruling in 2007, and I urge any constituents who are in that category to visit the website below for information on how to apply.”
www.justice.gov.uk/about/pleural-plaques.htm