WE will work to ensure those who have fought for Queen and country receive the support they deserve, the council has said.

The commitment, made by Priory Vale councillor Toby Elliott, comes after North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson met with the Royal British Legion’s area manager Alistair Maxwell to discuss support for the Armed Forces community in Swindon.

Research has found that the biggest issues faced by former service personnel include hearing loss and difficulty finding employment. For over-75s, physical health and care are among the most common problems.

Councillor Elliott, who council leader David Renard has appointed as Swindon Borough Council’s member champion for the Armed Forces Covenant, said: “It is a solemn duty for all those of us who enjoy the freedoms our armed forces have secured to ensure that service men and women, and their families, receive the respect and support they deserve. This includes providing help once they have left active service.

“I will engage with the cabinet members, the council’s officers, and Swindon’s hard-working MPs to ensure that we work with the individuals themselves, the Royal British Legion, and other relevant charities to ensure that all who have served Queen and country receive the support they need.”

The Royal British Legion is the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, and provides support for many thousands of veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Swindon is home to a large community of armed forces personnel and was one of the first areas to pledge its support to the Armed Forces Covenant, an agreement designed to ensure that serving personnel, veterans, and their families, can access support.

Mr Tomlinson said: “Members of the Armed Forces community make huge sacrifices in service of our country and I am proud to support the work of the Legion in honouring the memory of the fallen and building a better future for the living.”

Earlier this year, ministers confirmed a package of funding worth over £200 million for Armed Forces mental health services.

The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, has also agreed to spend an extra £2million a year for the next 10 years to improve mental health services.