Iraq veteran calls on government for more support

An army veteran who was injured in Iraq 20 years ago is delivering a letter to the Prime Minister calling for a generational shift in support for former service personnel.

Simon "Si" Brown, 47, from Morley, West Yorkshire, was leading a rescue mission in Basra when he was shot in the face by a sniper in 2006.

He is part of a group from charity Help for Heroes handing the open letter to Andy Burnham ahead of Remembrance Sunday, calling for better healthcare and financial security to those who have served.

More than 70,000 people have signed the letter, including military leaders and celebrities such as Celebrity Traitors star Ross Kemp and Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton.

Brown, who is a ward councillor for Morley North on Leeds City Council, said he was commanding a vehicle on a recovery mission when he was injured.

He was taken back to the UK and spent 10 years in and out of surgery "trying to rebuild my face and my life".

The government has said it is making a record investment in supports for veterans, but Help for Heroes said more needs to be done.

Brown said he wanted the government to "improve its level of support to those who served the country, as things might not go as well for them as they had hoped".

He added: "There are some people who come out of it and they transition into life quite well. But what we are finding is a lot of younger soldiers, sailors and airmen are struggling to reintegrate into civilian life.

"There are those who have musculoskeletal injuries, ankles, knees, backs. It is getting access to treatment so they can continue to work.

"There are those with more severe injuries; some of the discharge process is a bit rushed and people are getting out before they are ready.

"So we are just wanting all these progranmmes to be refined and to make sure people have the right access and opportunity to prepare themselves properly."

He added: "If it goes well we become productive members of society, so that little bit of work early on will provide someone who goes into their community and thrives and makes it a better place."

Brown was mayor of Morley between 2024 and 2025, and has captained the Leeds Rhinos Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) team to double national victory.

He now coaches young people in the PDRL after hanging up his own boots.

He said: "Britain remembers its veterans every November, but it must keep its promise to them and their families all year round."

Cotton, who also serves as a Help for Heroes patron and campaigner, will join Brown as they hand the letter in at 10 Downing Street later.

He said: "Those who have served our country should be able to access the support that they need to live well after service."

In the open letter, James Needham, CEO of Help for Heroes, said: "As a nation, we have made a promise through the Armed Forces Covenant, that no-one would be disadvantaged because they served our nation.

"Many veterans, particularly those injured while serving, are still denied the quality healthcare, financial security and support they need and deserve. We are failing to deliver on this promise.

"We can and must do better. As Prime Minister, you can lead a generational shift in how government supports our armed forces community - those currently serving, our veterans and their families."

A government spokesperson said: "We will never forget the courage, bravery and sacrifice made by British servicemen and women for their country and we recognise there is more to do to better support them.

"That is why this government is making record investment in supports for veterans, including delivering the Valour Scheme, a £50m UK-wide support service for veterans and their families, helping to improve access to the right support when needed, a key commitment of the Veterans Strategy."

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