Defence Committee recommends Armed Forces Covenant improvements

The Armed Forces Covenant should continue to be driven from the centre of government, a report from the Defence Committee has recommended.

It also called for the creation of a new ministerial post within the Cabinet Office with responsibility for the Covenant, as well as a dedicated unit to monitor implementation and delivery.

Healthcare was one area of focus in the report, urging better awareness of the services that exist for veterans in the NHS and a removal of barriers to care, especially surrounding veterans’ mental health.

Other recommendations included extra education support capacity and an emphasis on lessons learned as a result of the Combined Accommodation Assessment Scheme.

Dr Julian Lewis, chairman of the Defence Committee, said: “The Armed Forces Covenant ensures that both veterans and serving personnel receive the recognition and support they richly deserve. The government is making good progress in meeting the Covenant’s obligations.”

However, Dr Lewis called for greater focus on housing, education and healthcare services for the Armed Forces community.

“Encouraging soldiers to buy their own homes, yet making them uneconomic to let when their owners are posted away from home, shows a lack of joined-up thinking,” he added.

“There also needs to be greater consistency of services and support across the UK.”