Winter has well and truly arrived, and my thoughts turn to the estimated 2,500 ex-service veterans who are living on the cold, damp streets of this country.

It is a disgrace that the government can accommodate economic migrants yet turn a cold shoulder to our homeless veterans. The veterans who loyally and selflessly served to keep this country of ours safe, many now with complex PTSD issues are being ignored.

The government to rub salt into the wound have stated they are now to take a spare 550 MOD houses on military bases to house Afghan refugees and have also indicated they are considering taking a further 500 MOD houses to accommodate economic migrants.

If the government can find empty MOD houses and flats for migrants, why can they not find empty MOD houses for the homeless veterans? Currently, our homeless veterans are mainly supported by charities, who with the current cost of living crisis are struggling to cope.

The cost of supporting our homeless veterans, finding them warm, dry accommodation and the support needed to get them back on the ladder of life and to be productive members of our society is miniscule compared to the cost of supporting the estimated 82,000 illegal migrants that have arrived on our shores since 2018.

The UK Independence Party have a stated policy of giving full support to our veterans, especially those struggling on the streets.

Finally, if you can find a little spare cash this festive season, please give to a charity that supports our homeless veterans.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Sqn Ldr Peter Richardson Ret’d

UK Independence Party Defence and Veterans Spokesman.