Labour will today set out its commitment to protecting Britain's security and supporting our troops. The Defence, Veterans and National Security manifesto places these issues at the heart of Labour's plan for Britain's future.

The manifesto will pledge a Forces Charter guaranteeing the rights of Armed Forces personnel, their families, and Veterans, including:

• Housing: support to get on the housing ladder, including access to shared equity and a new transferable housing allowance, equal access to social housing.
• Education: free further and higher education for Armed Forces personnel who have served 6 years; protected access to schools for families posted around the country.
• Medical care: the best NHS medical care in a military run ward, and help with rehabilitation and recovery.
• Mental health: priority access to NHS treatment with specialist Veterans advice.
• Compensation: regular independent review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme building on the review by Admiral Boyce in February this year.

You can see the document in full here.

The manifesto also outlines Labour's commitment to supporting the campaign in Afghanistan, our pledge to ring-fence Defence spending this year, our plans for a Strategic Defence Review, and our ongoing reforms to national security policy.

Gordon Brown, Labour’s Prime Minister said:

"Labour’s commitment to Defence and national security is non-negotiable. Britain is united in its admiration for the courage, skill and dedication of our Armed Forces. We must do our best not only for them but for their families, and those who have served before them.”

Bob Ainsworth, Labour’s Secretary of State for Defence said:

“Our brave men and women serving around the world today will need the nation's support in the years to come. If we ask our Forces to fight on our behalf then we must look after them, their families and our Veterans.

“This Charter will enshrine their rights in law, ensuring that long after the fighting in Afghanistan is over, Government and society will not be allowed to forget their sacrifice.

“Labour will not let them down.”