‘We count on them, let’s count them in’
ARGYLL and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara has pledged his support to Poppyscotland’s new Count Them In campaign.
The SNP defence spokesperson has backed the Royal British Legion (RBL) and Poppyscotland’s campaign, which calls for questions on the armed forces community to be included in the next UK census.
The RBL estimates that there are between 6.5 million and 6.7 million members of the armed forces community living in the UK, representing about a tenth of the population.
They argue that little is currently known about the exact numbers, location and needs of this significant group.
Including new questions on the next census could provide public bodies, local authorities and charities with more information to ensure they are able to deliver the best possible services for the armed forces community.
Mr O’Hara met representatives of RBL, veterans and service personnel to discuss the campaign in parliament on Monday June 13.
Pleasure
He said: ‘It was a pleasure to meet members of the armed forces community who, along with their families, make huge sacrifices in the service of our country.
‘I was very disappointed to learn that we currently know more about the UK’s Jedi community than we do about our armed forces.
‘It cannot be right that our servicemen and women, veterans and their families are effectively hidden from official statistics, and that is why I am backing the call for new questions to be added to the next UK census.
‘We count on them – let’s count them in.’
To find out more about the campaign, visit the campaign website, www.britishlegion.org.uk/census