Supporting our Armed Forces

The armed forces are a key part of the identity of West Oxfordshire.  RAF Brize Norton is the largest military air base in Europe and home to a third of the Royal Air Force, and those who live and work at the base contribute strongly to our community.

As the Vice Chair (RAF) for the Armed Forces APPG, and with a personal interest in the RAF, I have quickly established myself as a leading voice on defence and RAF matters in Parliament. I have also been a leading member of the campaign to protect our veterans from the spectacle of historic allegations - achieving the first stage of a protection against prosecution for our veterans.

I am working hard in Parliament to speak up on behalf of our armed forces and helping to ensure that West Oxfordshire remains a key military hub long into the future.

News

Veterans ID Card

Veterans can now apply for the new HM Armed Forces Veteran ID Card. The cards are not only a recognition of service, but are a quick and easy way to prove veteran status and access the many services available to former members of the UK armed forces. It’s free to apply. To find out more and apply

Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme Visit

I spent some time recently with the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Munitions and Search Training Regiment at St George’s Barracks, Bicester, learning - very much the basics - of searching for explosives in water and on land, and how they are dealt with once found.

Forces Support, Carterton

Great to stop off at the Forces Support shop in Carterton recently on a busy constituency day out and about in West Oxfordshire. Forces Support is an inspiring charity which provides support to the families of servicemen and women who have sadly lost their lives whilst serving in our armed forces.

Support Package Announced for Veterans' Healthcare

I was delighted by the Government’s recent announcement to provide an extra £5million in funding to support veterans’ healthcare, improving the help available for the men and women who have served our country. This funding from the Office for Veteran’s Affairs Health Innovation Funding will support

Statement on the Earthquakes in Turkey & Syria

Following the earthquake in Turkey last month teams from Brize Norton have been dispatched to offer frontline disaster relief. As well as, delivering over 15 tonnes of aid to Turkey, the tactical medical wing from Brize Norton have been sent out to provide specialist emergency medical services and

RAFA Kidz Nursery Brize Norton

It was fantastic to visit RAFA Kidz Nursery in Brize Norton. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the wonderful team and representatives from the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), who do remarkable work to support RAF families across the UK. RAFA has 5 on station nurseries in the UK, all of which provi

Military Housing in West Oxfordshire

I want to reassure service families that I am very aware of the ongoing issues being raised with the conditions of military housing in West Oxfordshire.

Care After Combat

There are a lot of military charities in the UK, and it's not always easy to understand how they all fit together.