On Friday I again visited Launchpad at Speke House to meet some of their residents, all veterans who have served in the UK´s armed forces. Managed by Samantha Jackson, Launchpad provides accommodation for ex-service members who have in many cases had periods of homelessness or have struggled to adjust back to civilian life.

It is always an interesting visit where the veterans have questions about the Government of the day and what they’re doing to support service members transition out of the forces. Their stories are often emotional about the challenges they have faced, something the Labour Government is working to improve with increased help and support.

Labour are also working to improve accommodation for existing members of our military and their families, this month launching our Homes Fit For Heroes initiative. This will improve housing standards for service personnel by bringing in higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs, renovation of the worst homes and a named housing officer for every family. These measures will all be put in place before the one-year anniversary of 36,000 military homes being brought back into public ownership. This deal, completed in January, reversed their sale by the Tory Government in 1996 that was described by the Public Account Committee as “disastrous”.

I will be returning to Launchpad next week to help other residents with problems they are having with access to housing when their two year stay in Launchpad comes to an end.