Following a campaign led by The Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces Covenant became enshrined in the Armed Forces Act 2011.
The Covenant outlines the nation’s obligation to look after those who serve in HM Armed Forces, have served, and their families, ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community face no disadvantage because of their service, and that special consideration be given in certain circumstances, such as for those who have been injured or bereaved.
Legislated through the Armed Forces Act 2021, the Armed Forces Covenant Duty was introduced in November 2022. This Duty places a legal obligation on local authorities to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising certain statutory functions in the fields of healthcare, education and housing.
In January 2026, the UK Government published the Armed Forces Bill. This legislation seeks to fully introduce the Covenant into law, by extending application of the Covenant Duty to all UK Government departments and devolved governments, and to cover an additional ten policy areas, including social care, childcare, social security benefits, among others.
Recommendation for council
[insert council name here] notes that:
- [insert council name here] first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in [insert year here], committing to support local members of the Armed Forces community.
- [insert council name here] is accredited with the Bronze / Silver / Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award, demonstrating Forces-friendly employment practices.
- The UK Government commitment to further extend the Armed Forces Covenant in law is welcome, and provides opportunity to enhance support to the Armed Forces community.
[insert council name here] resolves to:
- Write to the Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, in support of The Royal British Legion’s ‘Keep the Covenant Promise’ campaign:
- To call for improved statutory guidance and funding to all public bodies in scope of the extended Duty, including local authorities, to deliver better support through the expanded Covenant Duty.
- To ask that the UK Government implements a dedicated programme of promotional activity on the Armed Forces Covenant, in order to improve public awareness and positively recognise those who serve / have served in HM Armed Forces.
- To ensure that the impact of the expanded Covenant Duty is thoroughly monitored, and that members of the Armed Forces community can access effective means of redress in cases where the Duty is not fulfilled.
