Armed Forces Covenant 'an historic breakthrough'
15 May 2011
The Royal British Legion today praised as "an historic breakthrough" Prime Minister David Cameron's decision to write the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant into law.
"For the first time, Armed Forces personnel and their families will see the principles of fair treatment there on the statute book," said Chris Simpkins, Director General of The Royal British Legion. "Fairness for our brave Armed Forces can now be put to parliamentary scrutiny - an historic breakthrough that will benefit all those in Service and their families for generations to come."
He added: "The Legion has campaigned
vigorously for this and we applaud Mr Cameron for putting the
Covenant principles in the heart of the new Armed Forces Bill,
thereby fulfilling his promise made on HMS Ark Royal in June 2010
to write the Covenant into law."
Following consultations with The Royal British Legion earlier this week, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced today that the Armed Forces Covenant would be written into law in a way that has the full support of The Royal British Legion.
"We are particularly pleased that the unique nature of Service will now be acknowledged in the Bill, together with the principle that no disadvantage should arise from Service - real issues for members of the Armed Forces. The inclusion of principles in the Bill will help Parliament to scrutinise the treatment the Armed Forces and their families receive," said Mr Simpkins.
An annual review of the Armed Forces Covenant will be prepared by the Defence Secretary for Parliament under the independent scrutiny of members of an External Reference Group, which includes The Royal British Legion. Any criticisms by that group will be published - "a satisfactory level of independent oversight," said Mr Simpkins.
The Prime Minister also announced a Covenant support package which the Legion estimates to be in the range of £40million to £50million.
A new Armed Forces Community Covenant scheme will be introduced to support action by local communities to support Armed Forces and veterans.
A new Veteran's Card will be introduced, based on an expansion of the existing Defence Discount Directory scheme.
"The Royal British Legion stands ready to campaign on behalf of both these schemes, so that communities, public bodies and the private sector will be provided opportunities to show their appreciation to our brave Armed Forces, veterans and their families," said Mr Simpkins.
Greater support will also be given to those injured in Service:
- The Legion looks forward to Andrew Murrison's report that will ensure military amputees get access to prosthetics as good as the ones they are given at Headley Court, even after they leave the Armed Forces.
- Seriously injured veterans and Armed Forces personnel will also be automatically eligible for concessionary bus travel across England.
- Armed Forces personnel suffering genital injuries while on operations will get free access to three cycles of IVF treatment
Families will also benefit from a new fund to support schools with a large number of pupils from Armed Forces families, while Council Tax Relief will be increased from 25% to 50% for personnel serving on operations.
New powers will be introduced in the Ministry of Justice to improve the military inquest system.
"This is an impressive package of support, but even more impressive is the irrevocable legacy of at last getting the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant written into law. This is a major step forward for the whole Armed Forces community," said Mr Simpkins.
"Credit is due not only to the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and other key ministers, but also to our supporters in Parliament -- and especially to the crusading journalism of News of the World, its readers, and the wider public, who have combined to deliver the best possible deal for our Armed Forces."
Media contact:
Susan Cottam, Public Relations Officer (Public Affairs), The
Royal British Legion
T: 020 3207 2477 M: 07775 017 889 E: scottam@britishlegion.org.uk
