Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Pledge To Protect Armed Forces Community Through New Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty

30 June 2025 · Ministry of Defence

Proposed by Alistair Carns Lab Birmingham Selly Oak

Veterans

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The Government pledges to enact the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty, expanding its scope from three to fourteen policy areas.
  • The new legal duty will apply to all Government Departments and Devolved Governments once the upcoming Armed Forces Bill is passed.
  • The commitment aims to ensure respect and support for the Armed Forces community across various central government policy areas.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the Government's commitment to enact the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty, ensuring respect and support for the Armed Forces community across various policy areas.

Action requested

The Government is delivering on its pledge to put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law, expanding it from three local policy areas to fourteen broad central government policy areas. The new legal duty will apply to all Government Departments and Devolved Governments once legislation is enacted in the next Armed Forces Bill due every five years.

Key facts

  • Consultation involved over 150 organisations across the United Kingdom.
  • The Covenant Legal Duty applies to 14 broad policy areas including housing, education, employment, health care, welfare support and transport.
  • Legislation will be introduced in the next Armed Forces Bill required every five years.
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