Each year, people across the constituency come together to honour those who served and those who gave their lives to protect the values we hold dearest in our nation.

Remembrance Day is about memory and responsibility. We owe our veterans more than words, and more than wearing a poppy for a few autumnal weeks. 

We owe them the fair treatment they deserve and proper support when they need it, recognising what they have sacrificed for us to enjoy the privileges we have. 

I want to restate our shared commitment to those who have served here in Stourbridge and to reflect on what the day means for our community. 

I was proud to support the biggest pay rise for our Armed Forces in more than twenty years, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of those who serve and have served.

The launch of the Government’s VALOUR programme means that veterans can get help when they need it most, and the new Operation ASCEND programme, will help veterans find meaningful employment and make a successful transition to civilian life.

I am also proud that in Parliament, we are taking steps to tackle veteran homelessness. £3.5 million has been secured to improve housing standards, and control of Defence accommodation has been brought back into public hands.

Housing rules have been changed so that veterans can access social housing more easily. These are practical changes that make a real difference to people’s lives.

Here in Stourbridge, I will keep working with local organisations and charities that already do so much for our veteran community.

Their knowledge and experience are invaluable, and I will make sure to represent their voices in Parliament so that national decisions reflect the realities faced locally.

Our town has a proud tradition of service, and that is something we should never take for granted.

Remembrance Day reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy today were not free or guaranteed – they were earned through the courage and sacrifice of those who served. It is maintained by those who continue to represent our armed forces all over the world.

I will keep doing everything I can to make sure that our gratitude is matched by real action, every day of the year.

I greatly enjoyed our incredible military vehicle parade on Saturday. I was proud to lay a wreath at the Mary Stevens Park memorial services on Sunday.

I was glad to see so many of you there, paying our respects together in Stourbridge.