The Scottish Conservatives have launched a new policy paper aimed at tackling homelessness and unemployment among veterans, warning Scotland should feel “shame” that hundreds of former service personnel are without a home and thousands are out of work this Christmas.
Party leader Russell Findlay and shadow housing secretary Meghan Gallacher unveiled the proposals at a veterans’ breakfast club in Colliers Bar in Johnstone, where they were joined by former service personnel.
The paper sets out a five-point plan focused on housing, jobs, healthcare and financial support for veterans leaving the armed forces.
Among the proposals is a commitment to reduce veterans’ living costs by giving them access to unused military married quarters for up to a year after leaving service, alongside plans to double the size of the Scottish Veterans Fund to help with cost-of-living pressures.
The party also wants to guarantee employment opportunities for veterans by ensuring access to training, education, apprenticeships or jobs, as well as creating a fast-track route into public sector roles.
Housing measures include giving veterans priority when their homelessness applications are assessed and establishing a Scottish Government-backed fund to help veterans buy their first home.
In healthcare, the Conservatives say they would reinstate and expand Veterans First services across all NHS health boards and create Scotland’s first nationwide dedicated mental health hub for veterans.
The paper also commits the party to introducing legislation that would enshrine the Armed Forces Covenant into Scots law in devolved areas and create a new criminal offence for vandalising war memorials.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Findlay said veterans deserved better support when returning to civilian life after serving their country.
He said: “We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to the service personnel who put their lives on the line to safeguard our national security. The very least these brave men and women deserve is support, respect and dignity when they return to civilian life.”
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for veterans Edward Mountain said the situation facing veterans should be a source of national embarrassment.
He said: “It should shame us as a nation that several hundred Scottish veterans are homeless this Christmas and thousands are looking for a job. We must do far more to support Armed Forces personnel when they re-enter civilian life.”
The Conservatives say their proposals are designed to provide practical support on housing, healthcare and employment, while ensuring veterans’ skills are better recognised and used in civilian work.
Headline photo: Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay speaks at a veterans’ breakfast club in Johnstone, where he launched his party’s new policy paper
Photo credit: Colliers Bar, Johnstone