£27m in government funding goes live for local bids, turbocharging network of recognised VALOUR hubs.
 
•             First Veterans Strategy in seven years will transform government support for our heroes and recognise their invaluable contribution across the country  
•             Developed alongside the Strategic Defence Review and the Armed Forces Covenant, the new strategy also commits an additional £12m to tackle veteran homelessness

As part of the Labour Government’s new Veterans Strategy, veterans support centres will be rolled out across the country. The new centres, which could be on the high street and in community centres, will help improve local veterans’ services.

The centres will fundamentally transform how assistance is provided, offering the first coordinated national network of support centres. They will offer guidance and support in health, housing and employment, and may extend to finance, wellbeing, and integration into society. 

This comes alongside the Labour Government’s recent Defence Housing Strategy which sets out the biggest renewal of military housing in over half a century. Over 40,000 military homes will be upgraded and modernised, including 800 homes in Wales.

The new VALOUR centres are just one part of Labour’s new Veterans Strategy, the first such strategy in seven years. This will transform government support for the 3654 veterans in Gower and renew the nation's contract with those who serve and have served, recognising their invaluable contribution across the country.

Developed alongside the Strategic Defence Review and the Armed Forces Covenant, the new strategy commits an extra £12m to the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme and extending Op FORTITUDE - putting the service that has already housed over 1000 veterans on a sustainable footing. These programmes will deliver three years of support services for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness, fulfilling the Prime Minister's pledge that homes will be there for heroes.  
 
Delivering on the government's Plan for Change, the new Veterans Strategy recognises veterans as national assets, whose unique skills strengthen communities, boost the economy and enhance national security. The strategy is built on three priorities: celebrating those who have served, harnessing veterans' skills, and ensuring effective support for those who need it.

 The strategy, like the Armed Forces Covenant, applies equally across the UK. It has benefitted from the input of veterans and organisations in every nation and region - across the public, private and third sector. 
 
Announcing the major boost for veterans living in Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi MP said:

“Our Labour Government is determined to renew the nation's contract with those who serve and have served.

“I’m proud that this Labour Government is stepping up support for our veterans with a new Veterans Strategy. As part of this, I will be backing local bids to bring a veterans’ support centre to south Wales.

“This will transform government support for our heroes and recognise their invaluable contribution across the country.”

John Healey MP, Labour’s Defence Secretary, said:  
 
“The first duty of government is to keep our country safe, and that is only possible through the extraordinary men and women in our Armed Forces. 
 
“Our nation owes a duty to those who have served, and this new Strategy recognises veterans as one of our greatest assets. 
 
"Today's announcements will boost local support for veterans across the UK, from better healthcare to housing to jobs. Labour’s message to veterans and the Armed Forces community is simple: we are on your side." 
 
VALOUR, which launched earlier this year - backed by £50m in total – will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is truly data driven. VALOUR-recognised support centres will open from spring 2026, offering veterans with a single contact point for support needs.  

 
Tonia Antoniazzi MP has welcomed plans for a clean energy jobs boom in Wales, which is set to create 15 000 jobs.
 
Labour’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan shows how demand for clean energy workers is set to soar thanks to the government’s historic investment in clean energy.
 
The first-of-a-kind plan shows how key trades such as plumbing, welding and electrification stand to benefit, with trade unions playing a major role.
 
A generation of young people in Wales will benefit from new clean energy jobs under plans announced today by Labour.
 
Following record investment by the Labour Government, the clean energy economy is booming.
 
Labour’s plan will make sure that clean energy jobs are always good jobs, by ensuring companies receiving public grants and contracts must create jobs with decent pay, access to trade unions and strong rights at work.
 
Commenting on the news, Tonia Antoniazzi MP said “For too long our communities have been calling for the next generation of good jobs for our children and grandchildren.
 
“This plan answers that call - showing how Labour will rebuild our communities by creating well paid jobs in south Wales.
 
“Labour is seizing this opportunity to create the next generation of jobs to power our country’s future.”
 
Ed Miliband MP, Energy Secretary said “The clean energy economy is the route to delivering the good jobs at decent wages that our communities deserve. Our pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union agenda is delivering thousands of opportunities right across the country, so young people don’t have to leave their hometown just to find a decent job.”

Tonia Antoniazzi, Member of Parliament for Gower, has joined over 150 MPs and Lords in signing a letter to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle MP, urging the government to take decisive action in support of Hugh’s Law which would ensure parents of seriously ill children receive support from day one.
 
The letter, coordinated by Chris Hinchliff MP and backed by the “It’s Never You campaign”, marks a significant moment in the fight to improve support for families facing the unimaginable challenge of caring for a seriously ill child.
 
It welcomes the government’s recent announcement of a stand-alone consultation, but calls for greater clarity and commitment, including co-production of the consultation’s terms with the “It’s Never You” campaign, a clear timeframe for the consultation process, a commitment to legislate for Hugh’s Law in the next King’s Speech, and a roadmap for implementation of any resulting legislation
 
Hugh’s Law would introduce a non-means tested benefit for parents of seriously ill children, filling a critical gap in the current welfare system. While support exists for new parents through maternity and paternity leave, there is no bespoke provision for families facing long-term or life-threatening childhood illness except for the limited Neonatal Care Act, which applies only in a child’s earliest days.
 
Tonia Antoniazzi MP said “Families caring for seriously ill children are facing unimaginable stress and heartbreak — the last thing they should be worrying about is financial survival. Hugh’s Law is about compassion, dignity, and fairness. I’m proud to support this campaign and urge the government to act swiftly. We must ensure that no parent is left without support at the moment they need it most.”
 
Chris Hinchliff MP, who organised the letter, said as the letter states, the welfare system “should respond not to the timing of illness, but to the reality of need.”
 
“Hugh’s Law is about compassion, dignity, and fairness. No parent should be forced to choose between financial survival and being at their child’s bedside. Our welfare system must respond to moments of crisis with immediate, unconditional support.”
 
Ceri Menai-Davies, Co-Founder of It’s Never You, added “I’m incredibly moved by the support we’ve received. Over 150 MPs and Peers have now joined us in calling for change. This letter represents more than signatures. It represents a shared belief that parents of seriously ill children deserve better.”

Tonia Antoniazzi MP has thanked residents across Gower for their overwhelming support of this year’s Summer Stationery Campaign, which has once again provided vital school supplies to children in need.
 
With the school year now underway, thousands of donated items including pens, pencils, notebooks, rulers, and stationery sets have been distributed via local schools, food banks, and charities to help ease the financial burden on families preparing for the new term.
 
The campaign was supported by Gower’s libraries, which hosted drop-off bins and helped coordinate collections. Libraries in Fforestfach, Gowerton, Gorseinon, Oystermouth, Pennard, Killay, and Pontarddulais played a key role in the campaign’s success.
 
Tonia Antoniazzi MP said, “This campaign is about making sure no child starts school feeling left behind,”
 
“I want to sincerely thank everyone who donated and supported the campaign. Your generosity has made a real difference to families across Gower, and I’m incredibly proud of the way our community continues to come together to support one another.”
 
“I’m also incredibly grateful to the dedicated staff at Gower’s libraries. Their enthusiasm and care made a huge difference, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
 
Broadcaster and community champion Kev Johns MBE also lent his support, helping raise awareness in the final days of the campaign. “Children deserve the best equipment so they can learn with confidence when they return to school,” said Kev Johns. “This campaign is a simple, practical way to support families.”
 
Rebecca Evans MS also praised the community’s response and thanked Kev Johns for his support.
 
“It’s been wonderful to see the people of Gower come together to support this campaign. For families facing financial pressure, these donations make a real difference.
 
“I’m incredibly grateful to Kev Johns for his continued support in helping us raise awareness of the campaign and encouraging the community to get involved.”
 
“I’d also encourage anyone who may be struggling to explore the Welsh Government’s School Essentials Grant, which offers support with uniform and other school costs.”
 
The Summer Stationery Campaign will return next year, continuing its mission to ensure every child in Gower has the tools they need to thrive in the classroom.

Swansea broadcaster and community champion Kev Johns MBE has given his backing to this year’s Summer Stationery Drop campaign, organised by Tonia Antoniazzi MP and Rebecca Evans MS, to help families prepare for the new school year.
 
The campaign has seen residents across Gower donate thousands of stationery items to help parents meet the rising costs of getting children ready for September. With just a few days left until donations close on Friday 29th August, people are being encouraged to make a final contribution.
 
Donations of new pens, pencils, pencil cases, erasers, rulers, notebooks, sharpeners and stationery sets can be made at libraries across Gower, including Pennard, Oystermouth, Killay, Fforestfach, Gowerton, Pontarddulais, and Gorseinon.
 
Kev Johns said "Children deserve the best equipment so they can learn with confidence when they return to school, but for many families the cost is overwhelming. This campaign is a simple, practical way to support them. Next time you’re shopping, please just pick up a few extra items and drop them into your local library bin. Every donation makes a difference."
 
Tonia Antoniazzi MP said "I’m so grateful to Kev Johns for helping us shine a spotlight on this campaign. The rising cost of living means too many families are feeling the pressure when the new school year comes around. By donating, we can ease that burden and make sure every child in Gower has the tools they need to thrive in the classroom."
 
"We’ve seen incredible generosity in past years, and we know this year’s campaign will once again show the strength of our community. Whether it’s a ruler, a notebook or a full set, every item goes directly to helping local families prepare for the year ahead."
 
Rebecca Evans MS, said: “Getting kitted out for the new school year can be really exciting, but with it comes with financial pressure. Our local stationery campaign is a great way to help with some of that. I would urge families on lower incomes, and who qualify for certain benefits, to find out more about the Welsh Government's School Essentials Grant. Depending on the year the child is going into, you could be eligible for either £125 or £200 to help with the cost of school uniform or other essential kit. You can find out more on the council's website."
 
The campaign runs until 29 August 2025, with donations being distributed to families in need ahead of the new school term.