A fresh start?

With the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant set to be enshrined in law for the first time, a new scheme is encouraging local authorities to work with the Services to improve the support offered to personnel and their families

In May, defence secretary Liam Fox published the new tri-Service Armed Forces Covenant, a document laying out the moral obligation that exists between the nation, the Government and the thousands of men and women serving in uniform.

Under an amendment to the Armed Forces bill currently before the Lords, the principles in the covenant - that members of the Services do not suffer disadvantages because of their work and that, where appropriate, they receive special treatment - will for the first time be enshrined in law.

The Ministry of Defence said the proposal is intended to “set the tone” for future Government policy to ensure it remains dedicated to improving the support offered to the Armed Forces.

Other measures in the bill include a requirement for the defence secretary to deliver an annual report to parliament on the progress made in key covenant areas, such as healthcare, housing and education. This report would be subject to independent scrutiny by MPs, as well as members of the External Reference Group, which includes a number of Services charities.

Dr Fox said: “We believe that a sensible way forward that will give the right kind of legal basis to the Armed Forces Covenant for the first time in our history is to enshrine the principles in law, provide a regular review of the policies that will make them a reality, ensure that parliament has a chance to scrutinise this review through the annual report and that the report itself is widely informed, consultative and transparent.

“Our understanding of the covenant will change over time, as will the way in which Government and society meet it. The framework we have set out today provides the flexibility we need so that not only the Government but all of society can fully pay the enormous debt they owe our Armed Forces, their families and our veterans.”

Alongside the publication of the covenant, the minister announced a package of measures designed to tackle some of the biggest problems already facing serving personnel and their dependants.

This included £30 million in funding over the next four years to support a new Community Covenant Scheme designed to establish mutually beneficial links between local residents and the Armed Forces community in their particular area.

The first Community Covenant Scheme was launched in Oxfordshire last month.

The agreement includes a commitment to encourage residents to support the Armed Forces in their area and vice versa; to promote public awareness of the issues affecting Service personnel and their families; and to support activities that encourage Armed Forces communities to integrate into local life.

The Oxfordshire covenant has been followed by similar charters in North Yorkshire, the Vale of Glamorgan and Hampshire. A Community Covenant Scheme will also be launched in Portsmouth.

The North Yorkshire covenant was signed at the Catterick Garrison by figures including North Yorkshire County Council chairman councillor John Fort, Richmondshire District Council chairman councillor Jill McMullon and Brigadier Greville Bibby, commanding officer of 15 (North East) Brigade.

Brig Bibby said the Armed Forces had in the past been “behind the wire” and, as a result, were not seen as part of the community.

“There had been some real challenges for us but this Community Covenant is one of the most exciting developments in my 30 years of service and it is very much on the back of the Afghan factor,” he added.

“This is one of the most important things I will do while commanding in the area. North Yorkshire County Council has been leading with this and we have been meeting for three years to get to this signing. I am extremely grateful to the county and all the districts therein. The trick now is to deliver and honour the covenant.”

The MoD said it wants to see more Community Covenants springing up over the coming months, but it noted that the agreements “may look quite different from one location to another”.

“This is a scheme where one size does not fit all and the nature of the support offered will be determined by both need and capacity,” a spokesperson said.

“It is expected that most Community Covenants will be led at local authority level.

However, unitary authorities and individual towns may also wish to have a Community Covenant and this is equally welcome.”