CORBYN’S PLEDGE AS BRITAIN REMEMBERS THE FALLEN ON ARMISTICE DAY We must do more for veterans fighting PTSD
MILLIONS held two minutes’ silence yesterday in remembrance of British and Commonwealth war dead.
Big Ben’s repairs were interrupted as it chimed at 11am on the anniversary of Armistice Day. There was a service at the Cenotaph in nearby Whitehall. In Australia, Sydney Opera House was lit with poppies. Today Prince Charles will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on his mother’s behalf. JEREMY Corbyn took the opportunity of an interview before Remembrance Day to urge more be done for veterans with PTSD.
The Labour leader says he has spoken to a number of ex-soldiers across the country with the condition and vowed to do more to support their struggle if elected PM.
Mr Corbyn said: “PTSD is something that wasn’t really recognised in the past.
“I met a man in Islington who told me about his experiences in a Japanese PoW camp. They’d been with him all his life and he had been frightened to tell people. He shouldn’t have had to suffer like that.”
Support
Mr Corbyn added there was too much reliance on charities and said the Government should do more to help.
He said: “There’s no pathway for some and no clear way back into civilian life.
“Some start drinking too much, families break up and they end up on the streets. I’ve raised these things with the Ministry of Defence. We need to make sure people are supported and make the best of their lives.”
The Sunday People has been campaigning to improve the support for veterans with PTSD. We want to see more provision for those who have served in the armed forces and are often left to struggle on their own.
Mr Corbyn said: “Soldiers, before they leave should get support on decision-making and issues around housing, for example. And for PTSD, there should be counselling available for people all the time.”