Paul Athans, Conservative candidate for Hazel Grove, has said he would like to see Hazel Grove become one of the best constituencies for veterans.

It comes as the Conservative party announced yesterday (6 June) that they would introduce new measures to support veterans, including tax breaks, cheaper railcards, pension and compensation benefits, and more.

 The Conservatives argue that the plans "will confirm the UK as a world leader in support for veterans".

Welcoming the measures, Mr Athans said: "I've served in the Army for over 15 years and during that time I had the honour of meeting some D-Day veterans at the beaches in Normandy. Their war was a war against tyranny and oppression. We owe those who served a debt of gratitude.

"That is why I'm proud to be standing for a party that puts veterans issues front and centre.

"I will continue to champion veterans. I don't just want the UK to be the best place in the world to be a veteran, I want Hazel Grove to be the best constituency to be a veteran."

The tax breaks included in the plans would be aimed at employers, to encourage them to hire more veterans.

In response to the Conservative Party's announcements, a Labour spokesperson said: "Veterans have had 14 years of the Conservatives promising a lot but delivering very little.

"The Conservatives haven't passed a Veterans Bill since 2010. They've only issued veteran ID cards to one in 10 eligible veterans and they've overseen a rise in veteran homelessness. The Tory record on veterans is a shameful failure and their election plans mean no change for veterans."

As for other parties' veterans plans, the Lib Dems have promised to improve ministry of defence housing, whilst Reform has said it would introduce a 'veterans first' policy when it came to housing, healthcare, and more.

~

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter