Oral Answers to Questions

Bill Wiggin Excerpts

Monday 25th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Danielle Rowley (Midlothian) (Lab)]

7. What steps his Department is taking to ensure the effective delivery of the armed forces covenant.

[Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con)]

16. What steps he is taking to encourage more commercial organisations to participate in the armed forces covenant.

[Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to ensure the effective delivery of the armed forces covenant.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Ellwood]

The hon. Lady has packed a lot into one question, and it is very important indeed. The critical aspect is removing stigma and enabling people to step forward and say “I’m not okay” without feeling that there will be reprisals, and, thanks to the mental health and wellbeing strategy of 2017, we are doing exactly that. It is taking a while to change the culture, but more people are now willing to step forward and say “Let me get checked out, let me get sorted, let me get back into the line” without fearing that doing so might damage their promotion prospects.

[Bill Wiggin]

Why should commercial organisations take this matter seriously when the Ministry of Defence has not yet managed to change its demand for British meat so that our armed forces can be fed the finest meat in the world?

[Mr Ellwood]

I understand that this issue dates back to a former armed forces Minister’s time many years ago. When we were back in office a couple of decades ago, we discussed it ourselves. I will certainly look into it, but I encourage all those organisations—despite their issues with meat—to sign the armed forces covenant and support our brave veterans and armed forces personnel.