Stuart Anderson MP has vowed to improve support for veterans in South Shropshire. Stuart, who is a veteran himself, is supporting Armed Forces Week. The week of events, which began on Monday 23rd June, includes Armed Forces Day on Saturday 28th, which follows Reserves Day on Wednesday, 25th June.
To mark the occasion, Stuart attended Shropshire Armed Forces Family Fun Day at Shrewsbury Castle on Saturday, 14th June. He also attended a Reception in Parliament on 4th June 2025 to celebrate the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC).
The reception was organised by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in partnership with the Royal British Legion (RBL), which provides lifelong support to the Armed Forces community. The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge, made on behalf of the nation, to ensure that veterans are treated fairly across all sectors of society.
Every Local Authority, including Shropshire, has signed the Covenant. More than 13,000 businesses, charities and other organisations have also signed the Covenant to the wider benefit of the Armed Forces community.
However, Stuart has expressed concerns that the number of sinatories has dwindled to just 12 organisations in South Shropshire. Stuart has written to each of the local signatories to thank them for their support for veterans.
Stuart has now called for more organisation in South Shropshire to sign the Covenant, which asks them to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces community. This includes veterans and their loved ones.
Organisations can make a range of written and publicised promises to support for members of the Armed Forces who work in their businesses or access their products or services. Many businesses also work with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to establish employment pathways.
The level of support varies with the size and type of organisation. It usually includes policies that encourage reserve service, support veteran employment, and guarantees a fair deal on commercial products and services.
The Covenant's two principles seek to ensure that those who have served in the past, and their families, face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. It also ensures due consideration to those who have given the most, and are subsequently injured or bereaved.
The Covenant is designed to be flexible enough to ensure organisations can retain the ability to take decisions about service delivery that are right for their local context and circumstances.
In April 2024, Stuart launched a veteran's support navigator on his website to help them locate government support available to them and their loved ones. It is part of his campaign to make Shropshire the best place to be a veteran.
At the age of sixteen, Stuart joined the Royal Green Jackets, now the Rifles (the local Shropshire regiment). When he was 17, he suffered a high velocity gunshot wound to his foot during a live firing attack. After ten months of gruelling rehabilitation, he returned to full active duty.
There are 2.4 million veterans in Great Britain. South Shropshire alone is home to over 4,000 veterans, representing almost one in ten households in the constituency.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"As a veteran, I am proud to support Armed Forces Week in Shropshire. It is a vital opportunity to pay tribute to the selfless service of the Armed Forces community, including their loved ones. Together with other charities in the sector, the Royal British Legion has transformed the life prospects of veterans for the better. So, I was delighted to meet with them in Parliament. I am now supporting Armed Forces and Reserves' Days. As home to over 4,000 veterans, they represent almost one in ten households. I want South Shropshire to become the best place to be a veteran. So, I am calling on local businesses, charities, and organisations to pledge their support for our veterans and salute our forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant."
#ArmedForcesDay #SaluteOurForces
Businesses and charitable organisations who wish to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces community can contact Stuart Anderson MP on [email protected] or visit the Armed Forces Covenant website directly at www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/show-your-support/.
