The Labour Government have launched a new cross-government strategy outlining a series of measures which will make a real difference to the lives of our Armed Forces, Veterans and their families, ensuring a fairer deal for all.

The Service Personnel Command Paper, "The Nation's Commitment: Cross-Government Support to our Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans” was initiated by Gordon Brown and brings together proposals from across government to build on the work the Labour Government has already done to improve the support and welfare available for our Armed Forces and their families.

Speaking at the launch of the strategy in London, Labour's Defence Secretary Des Browne said:

"Our Armed Forces are truly inspiring – every day they risk their lives to keep us safe – and it is a fundamental duty of government to support them and their families. I think this Command Paper presents a package of measures that will make a real difference to the everyday lives of our forces and their families.

"It will improve their access to public services and for the most seriously injured it will ensure a significant increase in the amount of compensation that they get paid. I think it offers significant progress and we now have to make sure we deliver that change."

The paper makes a wide range of commitments including the doubling of compensation for the most severely injured, free further or higher education for Service leavers with more than six years' service and priority access to adapted social housing for the most seriously injured.

The paper also outlines ways to ensure that our Armed Forces and their families retain their places on NHS waiting lists when they move and to end disadvantage in accessing school places for service children.