Posted: Fri 30th Sep 2022

Wrexham MP appointed Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Friday, Sep 30th, 2022

Wrexham’s MP has been appointed Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families in Prime Minster’s new Government
 
Sarah Atherton, Member of Parliament for Wrexham, was promoted to a ministerial position in Prime Minister Liz Truss’ new Government, approved by King Charles III.
 
The role means the MP for Wrexham will have responsibility within the Ministry of Defence for service personnel and veterans’ affairs.

However, for the first time, this role now includes responsibility for service families also.
 
Since her election in 2019, Sarah has sat on the Defence Select Committee and chaired an inquiry into the experiences of women in the military and female veterans.

Although Sarah is no longer able to sit on the Defence Select Committee, she now has the responsibility for delivering on many of the recommendations from her ground-breaking report which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already agreed to.
 
Sarah Atherton MP said: “As a veteran myself, it’s the job of a lifetime for me to become Minister for Veterans.

“I am also thrilled to have defence people and service families in my portfolio, something which is very close to my heart as I have a service family – my husband was in the navy and son in the university air squadron.

“As a woman who served in the Army, I have first-hand knowledge of the portfolio I have been given and I am looking forward to using this and the skills I gained from 26 years and as a nurse and social worker in this role.

“During my time on the Defence Select Committee I have spent two years hearing from servicemen, women, veterans and charities about serving conditions and improvements that can be made.

“My report into the female military experience has been the best preparation for this role, and that’s why it was honour to have been asked by the Prime Minister to serve in her Government as the first female Minister for Defence People and Veterans.
 
“As a city, Wrexham has a proud military heritage and large veterans community – of which I am part.

“And now, thanks to the Defence Secretary’s commitment last year to return a reserve unit to Hightown Barracks in June 2023, we now have a serving military community.

“As the former HQ and historical home of Royal Welch Fusiliers, it is fitting that Wrexham has a revived military focus and now both an MP who is a veteran and a Minister within the MoD.”



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