NATIONAL DEFENCE MEDAL

That this House notes that all those who serve in the UK armed forces do so knowing that this will require a great deal of personal sacrifice and will have a profound impact on their families; acknowledges that all military service involves an acceptance of substantial risk of injury, or even death, in the course of undertaking that duty; further acknowledges that ex-service personnel are proud to receive and wear the Veterans Badge but notes that this is not awarded posthumously and it is considered by many to be insufficient recognition for the contribution veterans have made to our safety; further notes that many former service personnel, including those who undertook National Service, have received no decoration, despite undertaking traumatic and hazardous operations; and calls on the Government to more appropriately recognise the UK’s veterans by the award of a national defence medal and to take steps to implement this as soon as possible.