Labour has been forced to backtrack after WW2 veterans were told they were not going to receive money to attend D-Day celebrations in France.
A statement issued by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) to the Express said: "Funding is for UK government events and not provided for overseas events."
The decision was met with outrage with one describing it as "morally unacceptable."
However, Minister for Veterans Labour MP Al Carns has now said: "Our government will ensure the support is there for Second World War veterans to attend VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas this year."
Labour MP Al Carns has said "the support is there"
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It is understood that fewer than 200 British Second World War veterans are still alive, with only a small amount who saw action on D-Day on June 6, 1944 remaining.
Spirit of Normandy Trust is taking seven veterans back to Normandy, while the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans is taking 25 heroes to Holland for the 80th anniversary of Dutch liberation on May 5 and to Northern France to honour D-Day the month after.
Carns, the MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, continued: "For the avoidance of doubt: our government will ensure the support is there for Second World War veterans to attend VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas this year.
"Veterans will be at the heart of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe in May."
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Les Underwood, along with 16 other veterans, returned to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-DayLes Underwood/GB NewsIt comes after a D-Day veteran who wears nine medals including the rare Atlantic Star told GB News he “would not fight for the country as it is today".
Les Underwood, a Royal Navy gunner who was one of 160,000 men tasked with launching the liberation of Europe in June 1944, said he was now scared of being "stabbed or shot" if he left his home.
Speaking to The People's Channel last year, he said: "Why would I fight for a country that I am scared to leave the house in case of getting mugged, stabbed or shot? There is no Great Britain anymore."
"When we go to France, Belgium and Holland they make a tremendous fuss of us. And it’s worth it. I would do it again for them."
Peter Kent with then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
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Express reports the Deparmtent of Culture, Media and Sport, which is co-ordinating May’s VE Day commemorations, Downing Street, and the Royal British Legion have all refused to say how much money has been set aside.
Peter Kent, who served on HMS Adventure said: "I watched friends fall beside me fighting for freedom. We gave everything - our youth, our peace of mind, our brothers in arms.
"To be told the Government would help us honour them this year, only to have that promise torn away, feels like a betrayal. This isn’t just a funding cut - it’s the ultimate snub to those who never came home."
