Telford MP, Lucy Allan has given her backing the Royal British Legion’s ‘Count Them In’ campaign, which calls for questions on the armed forces community to be included in the next UK Census in 2021.
The RBL estimates there to be around 6.5 million members of the armed forces community living in the UK. Little is currently known about exact number, location and needs of this significant group. Including new questions in the next census would provide public bodies such as councils and the NHS will valuable information on how best to deliver services to this group.
On Tuesday 13 September Lucy met with RBL representatives to hear more about their campaign. Speaking afterwards, Lucy said: “I fully support the Royal British Legion’s ‘Count Them In’ campaign. It was a pleasure to meet with them and members of the armed forces community to hear more about the benefits of recording information on the armed forces community.
“The armed forces make great sacrifices in serving our country and although we have come a long way in supporting them at home, such as through the armed forces covenant, knowing the size of this population and their needs will help ensure they receive the services they need.”
More information on this campaign is available on the Royal British Legion’s website at www.britishlegion.org.uk/census.