Today I had the opportunity to ask a topical question during Defence questions. For the past four years I have campaigned to see our non-UK veterans and their dependants receive better treatment from the Government, specifically the waiving of visa fees for former non-UK service personnel and their dependants. Those who have risked their life to defend this nation should, of all people, be afforded the right to settle in the country they have fought for without being charged £2,400 for Individual Leave to Remain for themselves and each immediate family member. I believe that, as is the case with the US military, those who have served the qualifying period should be offered citizenship, but the first step is granting the waiving of visa fees. Both Labour and the Conservatives pledged to waive visa fees in their manifestos. I was able to ask the Government what their timetable now was for delivering that pledge.
