RBL and Labour Party Round Table Event
On the 3rd June 2024, our CEO Neil Houlihan and COO John Davies were invited to a round table discussion by the Royal British Legion and The Labour Party leader Sir Kier Starmer and Shadow Defence Secretary John Healy put forward their plans for #Veterans and Defence, should they be successful at the upcoming #GeneralElection24. Afterwards, we were able to meet with Sir Kier, Mr Healy and some ten Labour parliamentary candidates, themselves veterans to discuss the plans and ask questions.
High on the agenda was the #ArmedForcesCovenant #AFC and we questioned why some companies bidding for, and winning defence work were not signatories to the AFC. We put it to them that companies bidding for such work MUST have signed the AFC as a minimum and it should be STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that they begin their #EmployerRecognitionScheme #ERS awards journey, as soon as they win the work. This received a positive response, so we are hopeful for change.
We are also happy to report that Sir Kier confirmed that there WOULD be a Veteran's Minister in a Labour Cabinet, should they be successful.
We highlighted the current struggle for funding in the 3rd sector, where fantastic organisations are doing often unsung work, and praised the organisations that have created formal pathways into their companies for ex-forces, such as Balfour Beatty plc Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. and Milestone Infrastructure.
Project RECCE is always there to be a voice for the military community and happy to be involved on the conversation.