The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2012

Abstract: This is the first statutory report on the Armed Forces Covenant since we enshrined the Covenant principles in law. It is the beginning of a process to re-build the Armed Forces Covenant and we have set out the current landscape, both good and bad, including unedited comments from the independent members of the Covenant Reference Group. As required by the Armed Forces Act 2011, this report considers the two key principles of the Covenant. These principles were first set out in the Armed Forces Covenant, published in May 2011, which stated: “Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved”. The report sets out what we said we would do, what we have done so far and what comes next. The report paints a relatively upbeat picture of achievements UK-wide, including by the Administrations in Scotland and Wales, as well as the over 200 Local Authorities who have signed Community Covenants to reduce disadvantage and in some cases offer special provision. However, importantly, the report also identifies where there is more to be done. This includes work in areas such as housing, spousal employment and Reserves mental health.