Britain’s armed forces are currently fighting in two conflicts. In the first eight months of 2007, there have been 41 fatalities among servicemen and women in Iraq; and 26 in Afghanistan. A total of 67 fatalities.

In the first eight months of 2007, 63 servicemen and women were seriously injured or wounded on operations in Iraq; there were 32 serious injuries or wounds sustained by servicemen and women in Afghanistan. A total of 95 serious injuries or wounds sustained in action.

Since operations began in Iraq in 2003, 168 British service personnel have been killed on operations; 235 have been wounded in action, of whom 204 have been seriously injured.

Since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001, 70 British service personnel have been killed on operations; 235 have been wounded in action, of whom 72 have been very seriously injured. A total of 238 fatalities and 512 combat related injuries. The range of injuries suffered by our forces range from amputations and long–term brain damage to multiple injuries requiring on–going therapy and rehabilitation.

As a result of bravery in the face of the enemy, in July 2007 Britain’s Armed forces were awarded:

2 Distinguished Service Orders (DSO)
1 Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC)
20 Military Crosses (MC)
2 Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFC)
1 George Medal (GM)
5 Queen’s Gallantry Medals (QGM)
38 Mentions in Despatches (MiD)
2 Victoria Crosses have so far been awarded to British servicemen for gallantry in the face of the enemy, in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ours armed forces are now fighting 24 x 365.

By contrast this Labour Government:

• Has appointed a Secretary of State for Defence, who is double hatted as Secretary of State for Scotland and appointed a spokesman in the House of Lords who is double hatted as spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

• The size of our armed forces has been reduced to historically low – levels of personnel, ships and aircraft.

• Defence spending has been reduced to a level not seen since the 1930s [need to check]

• The Reserve Forces have been reduced in size, while being asked to take on ever more front – line duties.

Simultaneously the Government has stood by and let our armed forces:

• be housed in dilapidated and squalid accommodation;
• receive inadequate medical care when they are injured in the line of duty;
• spend more time on operational tours – and not enough time at home to be with their families;
• have no time to undertake essential training;
• have made inadequate provision of equipment to protect them on the battlefield e.g. support helicopters and mine-resistant vehicles

First Defence believes its time to restore the Military Covenant:

• Pay and pension provision which recognizes the danger and sacrifices made;
• Adequate housing;
• Appropriate medical provision dedicated to the military in a military environment;
• Adequate rehabilitation for those invalided out of the services;
• Adequate provision of battle–winning equipment;
• Remove legislation from the Statute Book designed for the civilian workplace which hampers our forces on operations;

First Defence believes  IT IS TIME TO PUT OUR ARMED FORCES FIRST