Member

There are 8,000 personnel from Commonwealth and overseas nations serving in the UK armed forces—more than one in 20 of all trained regulars—and 1,008 veterans in England and Wales were born outside the UK, including me, yet the immigration system that servicepeople face remains stressful, costly and unfair. I will continue to press for a more comprehensive approach, including automatic enrolment for those who have served in our armed forces. That would remove not only the financial cost but the administrative burden of compiling evidence, as well as the disruption that is often caused by having to wait while being unable to work and contribute to our country. It would also offer vital protection to those who are medically discharged before completing four years of service—service personnel who, under the current system, are usually denied visas and instructed to seek treatment back home, despite having already risked life and limb in the service of their country.