Our nuclear deterrent is the cornerstone of our defence, and it is only right that we mark the service of those who served at home and abroad to make our country safer.
A constituent, Mr Chris Jefferies, had written to me earlier this year regarding this. Mr Jefferies is a nuclear veteran, serving in the RAF having done two tours of duty on Christmas Island as a member of 49 Squadron, the Squadron tasked with testing Britain's first Hydrogen bomb. Mr Jefferies and his colleagues have been fighting for recognition for their brave service, by way of a medal, over the past 60 years. I was pleased to take this up with the Government and support the nuclear veterans' campaign.
As part of the 70th anniversary of the UK’s first nuclear weapons test – the Government announced yesterday that there will be a new medal for veterans and civilian staff who participated in the UK’s nuclear testing programme, with an estimated 22,000 veterans eligible from across the Commonwealth. Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, confirmed this in the House of Commons today and I was so pleased to hear him pay tribute to Mr Jefferies and his colleagues and to give them the recognition they deserve.
This medal is an enduring symbol of our country’s gratitude to each and every person who played a part in this effort and their loved ones who supported them.