Leaders use D-Day anniversary to make armed forces pledges

Speaking ahead of further events on Thursday, Mr Sunak said his party would, if re-elected, reduce the price of veterans’ railcards from £30 per year to £21 – funded from the Department for Transport’s existing budget.

It is also re-committing to introducing a Veterans’ Bill which would criminalise the wearing of medals that people are not entitled to and ensure military qualifications get equal standing with civilian ones.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Veterans have had 14 years of the Conservatives promising a lot but delivering very little.”

In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer said the country owed “a huge debt of gratitude” to armed forces personnel and veterans and that his party would “repay that commitment with a new package of support”.

Labour said it would use its first King’s Speech to legislate for a new armed forces commissioner to be a “strong independent champion” for the serving forces and their families.

It said it would also enshrine in law a new armed forces covenant to ensure “everyone who serves or has served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect”.