To mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday John Healey MP has paid tribute to almost 10,000 UK Armed Forces personnel recruited from Yorkshire since 2015.

The Wentworth and Dearne MP and Shadow Defence Secretary said: “I am deeply proud of the 9,940 UK Armed Forces personnel recruited from our region for the enormous contribution they make to our country”.

John highlighted that from deployments abroad in response to the invasion of Ukraine to deployments at home during the COVID 19 pandemic, our Armed Forces are essential to our national defence, our national resilience and our national NATO obligations.

Of the 9,940 military personnel recruited from Yorkshire, 6,110 were recruited into the British Army 1,990 were recruited into the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and 1,840 were recruited into the RAF since 2015.

John Healey stressed the Defence Secretary has by his own admission said that the Conservatives have ‘hollowed out’ the Armed Forces over the last 13 years. The Conservatives have cut the Army to its smallest size since Napoleon and that Ministers must reboot defence plans by halting army cuts and ensuring our NATO obligations are fulfilled.

The Wentworth and Dearne MP also said that the last 13 Conservative years have corroded the nation’s moral contract with those who service in our Armed Forces. Personnel living in damp and mouldy housing, satisfaction with service life falling well below 50 per cent, and retention rates dropping. Defence plans must ensure our heroes have good homes to live in and fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.

Armed Forces Day is held each year on the last Saturday of June to celebrate the service and sacrifice of our UK Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.

John Healey MP said:“Labour stands up for our Armed Forces.

“I am deeply proud of our the almost 10,000 UK Armed Forces personnel from our region for the enormous contribution they make to our country. On Armed Forces Day, we thank them for all they do to keep Britain safe.

“The next Labour Government will stand by our Armed Forces personnel by ensuring our heroes have good homes to live in and we will fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.”