GWENT veterans are supporting a manifesto launched by the Royal British Legion this week which urges the next Assembly Government to help Wales’ serving soldiers and veterans.

The RBL launched its five point manifesto for May’s Assembly election in Cardiff yesterday and asked every Assembly Member and candidate for the next general election to pledge to do their bit.

The manifesto asks the next Welsh Assembly Government to assess the impact of mobility on Armed Forces families particularly in terms of health, employment and education.

It also asks it to make the NHS priority treatment system work for veterans with service-related injuries and demands that it ensures local authorities provide disabled facilities grants to veterans who need adaptations in their homes.

It also asks that all veterans who require this grant are made exempt from the current means test if the adaptation is needed because of a service-related injury and that local authorities disregard Wales pension payments when means-testing for council tax benefit and housing benefit.

Falklands veteran Denzil Connick, from Oakdale, backed the manifesto yesterday.

He said: “I really think they’re doing a good thing. The government needs to make it more of a right for soldiers and veterans rather than having to claim.”

But Mr Connick, who lost one of his legs during the conflict, fears the idea of making the NHS priority treatment system work for veterans will be difficult.

“It’s going to be a difficult nut to crack. It’s proven to be unworkable because the NHS has to deal with all our citizens in an equal manner.”

He said the only way he could see that veterans would get the treatment quickly and easily would be if the government opened adequate places in military hospitals.

Mr Connick said the measure about Disabled Facilities Grants would make a massive difference.

He said past governments have relied too heavily on charitable organisations to help soldiers and veterans and that it is the government’s responsibility to help.

Mr Connick said: “Even if a person does have the funds to pay for adaptations, why should they go to that expense to provide these things when it’s due to them serving their country.”

He added: “These things have never been highlighted enough in the past. It’s now time that the nation sat up and realised.”

David Mitchell, secretary of the Blaina branch of the Royal British Legion, also supported the measures.

"These boys are fighting for us and they're not getting the support they deserve. If they get wounded and come back, they're treated just like anybody. They should be treated like heroes."

For more information about the manifesto, see www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk