*PART 3A: ARMED FORCES PAY, WELFARE & HOUSING 2024-2026*
### _1. ARMED FORCES WAGES_
_Tory record 2010-2024_: 1% pay cap 2010-2017 = real-terms pay cut. Forces had worst housing conditions in decades. 2023 pay rise 5% but inflation was 10% = pay cut again.
_Labour record July 2024-2026_:
1. _6% pay rise 2024/25_: Awarded in full Aug 2024. Biggest rise in 20 years. Junior ranks saw up to £2,600 extra per year.
2. _4.5% pay rise 2025/26_: Confirmed April 2026. Combined with 2024 rise = ∼11% over 2 years, above inflation.
3. _X-Factor review_: MoD reviewing the 14% “X-Factor” pay supplement for unique service conditions. Consultation ongoing 2026.
_Result_: Ends 14 years of pay erosion. ADFs now earning more than they would have under Tory pay trajectory.
### _2. WELFARE & COST OF LIVING SUPPORT_
_Tory failure_: 4,000 regular troops claiming Universal Credit by 2023. Food banks used at military bases. Accommodation charges rose while pay was capped.
_Labour action 2024-2026_:
1. _UC for Forces_: DWP changed rules so service allowances don’t reduce UC as much. Still too many on UC but claims slowed vs Tories.
2. _Subsidised food_: Forces Help to Buy expanded. COBBO “cheapest breakfast in Britain” rolled out to more bases.
3. _Council Tax relief_: Service personnel get 100% relief if accommodation provided. Extended to more reservists 2025.
4. _Forces Help to Buy_: Scheme extended to 2028. 30,000 troops used it to buy homes since 2014. £25k interest-free loans.
### _3. HOMES & ACCOMMODATION_
_Tory record_: “Shameful” state of military housing per 2022 Public Accounts Committee. Mould, damp, leaks, 40-year-old boilers. 1.5m complaints/year. Families living in caravans.
_Labour action July 2024-2026_:
1. _£400m housing repair fund_: Announced Oct 2024 to fix 36,000 worst military homes. Targets damp, mould, leaks first.
2. _New accommodation standards_: Contract with Pinnacle/VIVID to meet legal “Decent Homes Standard” by 2027. Breaks monopoly of previous contractor Amey.
3. _Affordable housing for veterans_: 1,200 new homes built near bases by 2026. Priority for service leavers.
4. _Rental charges frozen_: Accommodation charges frozen 2024/25 for lowest ranks. No increase for E1-E3 ranks.
### _4. VALOUR VETERANS DISCOUNT CARD_
_What it is_: Official UK veterans ID card launched by MOD 2019. Contains service number, photo, NI number.
_Labour 2024-2026 improvements_:
1. _Auto-issue_: All new leavers get digital physical card automatically from April 2025. Tories made veterans apply manually.
2. _More discounts_: 30,000 businesses now accept it vs 20,000 under Tories. Includes NHS, travel, retail, leisure.
3. _Link to Veterans’ Gateway_: Card now links directly to welfare, housing, mental health support via app.
4. _Free for all veterans_: Still free. Replacement fee waived for over-70s 2025.
### _5. ARMED FORCES COMMISSIONER_
_Tory record_: Promised in 2019 manifesto. No law passed by 2024. Forces complaints handled internally.
_Labour delivery 2024-2026_:
1. _Armed Forces Commissioner Act_: Passed Nov 2024. First Commissioner appointed Jan 2025 - Mariam Khan CBE.
2. _Powers_: Can investigate complaints, inspect accommodation, access MoD data, publish annual report to Parliament. Independent from MoD chain of command.
3. _First report due_: Dec 2026. Focus: housing, welfare, retention, bullying.
### _6. NUCLEAR TEST VETERANS HELP & HOUSING_
_Tory record_: 1950s-60s UK nuclear test veterans got £25k ex-gratia payment 2022 but no automatic housing priority or medical support. Many lived in poverty.
_Labour action 2024-2026_:
1. _Medal recognition_: Official Nuclear Test Medal awarded to all veterans widows from Jan 2025. 2,000 ceremonies held.
2. _Housing priority_: Veterans of nuclear tests added to “priority need” category for social housing under Homelessness Reduction Act update May 2025.