Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning, has welcomed the decision by Dacorum Borough Council to grant the Freedom of the Borough to the Royal Air Force training base at RAF Halton.

He said:
“I am absolutely delighted that the Council has decided to improve ties with the military by affording RAF Halton this honour. I am a firm believer in improving ties with our armed services.”

Mike called on local businesses to rise to the challenge and offer discounts to men and women serving in our armed forces:
“I welcome the lead taken by Waterside Wine Bar in Waterhouse Street who offer a 10% discount to serving armed forces on production of their ID card. I urge other businesses to examine if they can offer similar discounts to help make Dacorum a place of destination for RAF Halton trainees when they get a break in their training.”

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour the Borough can bestow and this will be the first time the Council has awarded the honour to an organisation rather than an individual.

RAF Halton provides recruit training to all non-commissioned entrants to the RAF, leadership and management training for non-commissioned officers and basic training for suppliers and logistics officers.