Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn pledge to help veterans after campaign pause for Remembrance Sunday

Party leaders target military families as election campaign enters second week

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn will both unveil pledges to help veterans after the election campaign held a sombre pause to mark Remembrance Sunday.

The prime minister will visit the Black Country on Armistice Day where he will lay out measures to help former service personnel into work, including guaranteed job interviews for public sector roles and tax cuts for businesses that employ veterans.

Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn revealed that the Labour manifesto would contain a string of pledges to bolster working conditions for the forces and their families.

It comes after both men took part in a rare display of unity on Remembrance Sunday as campaigning paused to allow party leaders to pay their respects at the Cenotaph in London.

If elected, Mr Johnson promise to implement breakfast clubs and after school care for military families, as part of efforts to keep more women working in the armed forces.

The Tories will also offer railcards to more than 700,000 veterans, guaranteeing a third off the cost of travel for those who do not qualify for senior or disabled railcards.

Mr Johnson is expected to say: “As we remember the ultimate sacrifice made by our brave men and women for their country just over a century ago, it is right that we renew our commitment to the soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and veterans of today.

“These measures will mean more childcare support for those who are currently serving. And it will mean that we harness the enormous contribution that veterans can make to our businesses and public sector organisations.

“If I’m elected on the 12 December, I want the message from my government to our armed forces to be louder and clearer than ever: we salute you and we will always support you.”

Mr Corbyn, who will be attending events in his constituency on Monday, restated Labour’s commitment to scrapping pay restraints for soldiers after nearly 10 years of real term pay cuts.

Figures released by Labour in the summer show a private’s starting salary is £1,159 lower in real terms today than in 2010.

Mr Corbyn also affirmed his pledges for better housing and schooling for military families, as well as setting up a representative body for service personnel, similar to the Police Federation.

He said: “Real security requires decent pay, decent housing, support for our armed forces and their families, and a way to get their voice heard.

“Our forces should not have to put up with pay cuts, sub-standard housing, difficulties accessing school for their children, or face the uncertainty of relying on outsourced providers.

“After a decade of government cuts and outsourcing, Labour offers our armed forces real change with the pay, conditions and respect they deserve.”