I am always humbled by the service and sacrifice we are reminded of at this time each year as we mark Remembrance Sunday.

With more than 2,500 veterans across our royal borough, this is a very important time for us to pay tribute to our Armed Forces community.

This year Kingston’s communities are once again set to join together to pay their respects at events across our neighbourhoods on Sunday (Nov 12).

There will be services and parades in Kingston town centre, New Malden, Surbiton and Chessington, as we unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember.

On Armistice Day November 11 in 2018 we signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise that members of the Armed Forces will be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve or have served.

The Covenant was signed by the Mayor, Leader of the Council, Kingston Council’s Armed Forces Champion and representatives of Kingston’s three regiments. It is a partnership between statutory, military and voluntary sector agencies who pledge to work together to ensure that members of the armed forces and their families have equal access to the same services and opportunities as ordinary citizens.

As part of this commitment, and our focus on tackling exclusion, reducing inequality and supporting marginalised groups, we are working to support residents most severely affected by the current economic crisis. At the end of November we will be holding a careers fair focused on employment and skills support for people living with disabilities, Armed Forces veterans and their families and those who are carers, migrants and refugees.

Working with the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus and others, we are delivering the Next Steps Careers Fair to highlight the depth of local support for those most in need. Those attending will be able to get advice on career development, in-work progression and wellbeing support and many other things. You can sign up for the event at: bit.ly/RBKNextStepsFair

We also prioritise being a fairer employer ourselves, as well as supporting residents and businesses through the economic crisis, providing opportunities to improve skills, facilitate training and increase both business growth and employment opportunities.

Last week was Living Wage Week. Paying people a fair amount has never been more important as we continue to face the ongoing cost of living crisis. In 2019 we earned London Living Wage accreditation. As well as paying London Living Wage to our own employees, more than 300 council suppliers currently pay London Living Wage, with 10,000 contracted staff benefiting from fairer pay every month.

This is all part of our work to create a fairer, more equitable borough where those who are most in need receive the best possible services and support and our diverse communities are championed and celebrated.

Details of all the Remembrance Sunday events can be found on the council’s website at kingston.gov.uk/remembrance2023