A NEWPORT Assembly election candidate has called on the Welsh Government to pledge to support current and former members of the armed forces.

Labour AM for Newport East hosted an event at the Senedd on Tuesday, January 26 where members of the Welsh branch of the Royal British Legion launched their manifesto detailing their plans for 2016.

Labour Assembly candidate for Newport West Jane Bryant was among those in attendance and said she hoped the Welsh Government would do as much as possible to support members.

“I have the upmost respect for the RBL’s work in Newport; both through campaigns like the Poppy Appeal – a huge success as ever in 2015 – and in their continued provision of care and support to veterans, serving members of the armed forces, and military families,” she said.

“We need to do our upmost to ensure that services reflect the needs of our service men and women, as well as their families, on the transition into civilian life.”

Among services the Welsh Government runs for current servicemen and women and veterans are a dedicated NHS service and a HomeBuy shared equity scheme.