Graham has warned that defence families in Beverley and Holderness must not be left behind as Labour pushes ahead with its new Defence Investment Plan.
The warning comes on the eve of Beverley’s Armed Forces Day, when local people will come together to thank serving personnel, veterans, cadets and the families who support them.
Graham said Armed Forces Day is a reminder of the debt the country owes to those who serve.
Armed Forces personnel do what is asked of them. They spend time away from home, miss family moments, move when told and stand ready to lay down their lives to keep the country safe.
He said the least the country can do in return is look after them and their families properly.
The Defence Investment Plan sets out £298 billion of defence spending over the next four years. It includes major commitments on nuclear capability, drones, munitions, autonomous systems, military technology, housing and veterans support. The Government says the plan gives the Ministry of Defence a £15 billion uplift over the next four years.
But the BBC has reported claims that the UK faces a £28 billion defence spending gap over the same period, while Reuters has reported that the uplift falls short of what defence chiefs had sought. Graham said ministers must explain what has been left out, delayed or cut, and what the plan will mean for service families in places like Leconfield.
Beverley and Holderness has a strong defence connection through the Defence School of Transport at Normandy Barracks, Leconfield. Serving personnel, veterans, civilian staff and families are part of local life across Leconfield, Beverley and nearby villages.
According to House of Commons Library figures, there are more than 5,000 veterans living in Beverley and Holderness. Graham also serves as Honorary President of the Beverley branch of the Royal British Legion.
The Defence Investment Plan says forces need to know they will be fairly paid, have a safe and secure home for their family and get the medical support they need. It also promises £70 million over four years for veterans support.
Graham said those promises must now reach people on the ground. That means decent homes, proper healthcare, support for veterans, help for families and local services that work.
Veterans campaigner and Points of Light award winner Darren England said:
“Veterans and service families do not ask for special treatment. They ask for fair treatment.
“People who serve this country, and the families who stand behind them, make real sacrifices. They move home, spend time apart, miss family moments and carry pressures that most people never see.
“So when the Government talks about billions for defence, the test is simple. Does it mean decent homes? Does it mean proper healthcare? Does it mean support for veterans when they leave service? Does it mean families in places like Leconfield getting the help they need?
“Defence is not just equipment. It is people. Graham is right to press ministers on what this plan will mean on the ground, because those who serve, and those who have served, deserve more than warm words.”
Graham said:
“Defending the country is the first duty of government. I support proper investment in our Armed Forces.
“But defence is not just tanks, drones and aircraft. It is people. It is the serving personnel at Leconfield, the families behind them, and the veterans who have done their duty.
“On the eve of Beverley’s Armed Forces Day, we should remember what service really means. People in our Armed Forces do what is asked of them. They stand ready to lay down their lives to keep us safe.
“The least their country can do is look after them and their families properly.
“Labour wants credit for a £15 billion defence uplift. But reports of a £28 billion defence gap mean ministers must explain what has been left out, delayed or cut.
“And Labour is becoming the party of welfare, not work. Working families are being asked to pay more while local services remain under pressure.
“Those who serve our country deserve more than warm words. They deserve decent homes, proper support and local services that work.”
