Scrap unfair charges for when those who served want to leave
Our city and this country relies on the bravery and sacrifice of members of the UK Armed Forces drawn from across the Commonwealth yet shockingly charges them thousands to continue to live here when they leave.
This has to end.
Currently when Commonwealth personnel leave our Armed Forces and wish to apply to continue to live in the country they have served for years, they face thousands of pounds of fees to do so.
A service leaver with a partner and two children will be presented with a bill of almost £10,000 to continue to live in the
UK, despite their years of sacrifice and service on behalf of our nation. That cannot be right and that is why we have been taking action both locally and nationally to finally end this injustice.
Exorbitant immigration fees are no way to say thank you for their dedication and service, and risk pushing commonwealth personnel into poverty just for wanting stability as they leave Service.
As the Royal British Legion has said, without leave to remain, our Armed Forces veterans are cut off from being able to access employment or state support, leaving them and their families reliant on charitable funds or facing repatriation to their country of origin.
As the Armed Forces Bill passes through Parliament now is the time to scrap the unfair service charge. Do get in touch if you want to help us keep up the pressure on the government to act.
It’s the least we owe those who have served our city and country.
Stephen Morgan MP for Portsmouth South Shadow Armed Forces Minister