JEREMY CORBYN is marking Armistice Day with a pledge to improve the lives and working conditions of the armed forces.

The Labour leader said the party’s manifesto, released later this month, would include five promises to support troops and their families.

The plans include scrapping the public-sector pay cap, provision of decent housing for forces personnel and their families and the creation of a representative body to give servicemen and women a voice.

We owe so much to those who came before. Today we remember them. #RemembranceSunday pic.twitter.com/OifT9ePiUH

— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) November 10, 2019

Mr Corbyn also vowed that Labour would end privatisation and outsourcing of military contracts and improve access to schools for forces children.

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, substandard 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.”

War veteran Gus Hales fasted for four days last week as part of a campaign to challenge political parties to outline their veterans’ support policies ahead of the December 12 general election.

As reported in the Star, Mr Hales went on hunger strike for 18 days last year after he was discharged by the Combat Stress charity, which had been treating him for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

He cited Royal British Legion figures showing that 13,000 veterans live on the streets and 59 have committed suicide so far this year.

The 63-year-old met with Combat Stress medical director Walter Busuttil last week to discuss the current funding crisis for former military personnel.

Mr Hales said: “We both agree that it is a government responsibility and it’s woefully underfunded.

“The service as a whole is not being properly funded by the government and too many promises are being made that aren’t being kept.

“Mr Busuttil told me about the budgets that Australians spend on their veterans with PTSD and it puts ours to shame.

“We all know there is only so much a charity can do with limited funds that just come from donations.

“It’s got to be properly government-funded. So it’s a chance during this election up until December 12 to raise this issue in the political arena.”

Scottish Labour will also pledge tomorrow to create a new social contract with Scotland’s military veteran community — including a fund to compensate veterans of nuclear tests from the 1950s onwards.