The Royal British Legion The Royal British Legion

Call on the UK Government to Keep the Covenant Promise 

Dear Prime Minister, will you Keep the Covenant Promise?

Dear Prime Minister,

The Royal British Legion, supported by the undersigned, are calling for the Armed Forces Covenant Duty to be strengthened.

The Covenant was introduced to ensure that no one in the Armed Forces community is disadvantaged as a result of their service. Yet, more than a decade on, it has not delivered the meaningful difference it should.

Your government has committed to bringing the Covenant “fully into law” and to extending the Covenant Duty across all public policy and levels of government, through the Armed Forces Bill in 2026.

But, to make the Covenant truly effective, we are calling on your government to ensure the Duty is:

  • Delivered consistently: There must be clear guidance that sets consistent national standards of Covenant Duty delivery across the country.
  • Backed by enough funding to support delivery: A dedicated programme with accessible tools and resources to ensure staff in organisations covered by the Duty fully understand its purpose.
  • Properly measured, so its impact is clear: This is crucial to achieve continued improvement of services and meet the evolving, changing needs of the Armed Forces community.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that,  those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in society.

It recognises that no one should face disadvantage because of their service, and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most, such as the injured and the bereaved.

It acknowledges the profound personal sacrifices made by those who serve, from frequent moves to long periods away from home to the dangers that place their physical and mental health, and ultimately their lives, at risk.

Inconsistencies in service provision across local authorities and devolved nations, as well as barriers faced when moving between them, mean too many in the Armed Forces community are still not receiving the support they deserve.

Prime Minister, to fully deliver on the promise of the Covenant, your Government must go further and act on the recommendations of the Royal British Legion’s report.

It is time for the Covenant to make a real difference for our Armed Forces community in practice, and not just in principle. It is time to Keep the Covenant Promise.

Yours sincerely,

The Royal British Legion, together with supporters of the Armed Forces community

With your help, we can Keep the Covenant Promise.
#KeepTheCovenantPromise

We need a stronger Covenant 

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that, those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in society.

We welcome the Government’s commitment to bring the Covenant “fully into law” and its promise to extend the Covenant Duty across all public areas and levels of government, through the Armed Forces Bill in 2026.

However, the Royal British Legion believes that a stronger Armed Forces Covenant is needed to ensure nobody is disadvantaged as a result of their service.

Will you add your name to our Open Letter to the Prime Minister?

By adding your name to our Open Letter, we can hold the Government to account and push for a stronger Armed Forces Covenant.

We are calling for fair and consistent support for the Armed Forces community across the UK.

Alongside our Report below, our Open Letter to the Prime Minister explains our position and recommendations in more detail.

Read our report Read our full asks of the Government here.

Will you join us by adding your name?

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