Keir Starmer unveils major Armed Forces plan - 'our duty'

Military personnel, veterans and their families will see their rights and access to public services legally protected under major plans announced by the Prime Minister.

As the nation marks Armed Forces Day on Saturday, Keir Starmerwill announce a new legal duty for all government departments to consider the needs of the armed forces community when making new policy.

Initiatives could include extending travel benefits to the families of veterans and the bereaved, or flexible working for partners of serving personnel who are required to move as part of their role in the Armed Forces.

Legislation will be brought forward to deliver Labour’s manifesto promise to bring theArmed ForcesCovenant fully into law. The Covenant is a promise to ensure those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

READ MORE: 'I’ve seen first-hand the grit, sacrifice and pride our service men and women carry'

Mr Starmer, who met trainee pilots at RAF Valley in Wales on Friday, said: “When I became Prime Minister, I made a promise to serve those who have served us.

“Through the new Armed Forces Covenant, we are delivering on that promise — ensuring our service personnel, veterans and their families are treated with the respect they deserve – that is our duty.

“Our Armed Forces Covenant will put our Armed Forces community at the very heart of government decision-making. Their courage, duty, and sacrifice are the foundation of our national values, and they deserve nothing less.”

As part of the Covenant’s new legal duty, priority support will be given to those who have sacrificed the most, including the injured or bereaved. Local authorities, NHS bodies, and schools will also have a duty to consider the needs of the armed forces community in their decision-making.

The government will also be legally required to publish an annual report on the Covenant's delivery and progress.

Ministers have also committed to delivering two above inflation pay awards for service personnel and an extra £1.5bn investment this parliament to improve forces’ family housing through the Strategic Defence Review.

Saturday's announcement follows the Prime Minister’s “homes for heroes” policy guaranteeing housing for all UK Armed Forces veterans, exempting them from local connection rules for social housing. It also comes after a £3.5million funding injection for wraparound support services for veterans at risk of homelessness, including mental health, employment, and independent living support.

Mark Atkinson, Director General, Royal British Legion: Those who have served in the Armed Forces often face unique challenges, for example moving frequently during service can make it hard for families to receive consistent support from public services or for spouses and partners to build careers.

“Expanding the Covenant Legal Duty will help public services better respond to these challenges by ensuring the needs of the Armed Forces community are taken into account when making decisions.”

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