The annual Armed Forces Covenant Conference has brought together representatives from across society to discuss how support for the Armed Forces community is being delivered in practice.
The conference was held in Portsmouth, home of the Royal Navy, and focused on what a “whole-of-society” approach to defence means for serving personnel, veterans, families and the bereaved.
Delegates included representatives from Defence, government, local authorities, devolved governments, charities, schools, cadets, industry, families’ organisations and the wider Armed Forces community.
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The event explored practical examples of Covenant delivery and how different organisations can work together to ensure the Armed Forces community receives fair and consistent support.
This year’s conference also marked the planned expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty.
The Covenant is the nation’s promise that the Armed Forces community should be treated with fairness and respect. It is based on the principles that members of the community should face no disadvantage because of Service life, and that special provision may be appropriate for those who have given the most, including the injured and bereaved.
Through the Armed Forces Bill, the Government intends to expand the Covenant further into law and across more areas of government.
The expansion is expected to cover areas including education, housing, childcare, criminal justice and immigration.
Supporters of the change say it will mean serving personnel, veterans, families and the bereaved are more consistently considered in decisions affecting their lives.
The conference heard that the Covenant should not be viewed as a policy owned by one organisation, but as a shared commitment across society.
Sessions covered the Duty expansion, the Armed Forces Bill, local delivery, data, lived experience, families’ needs and veterans’ support.
The aim was to focus on how good intentions can be turned into practical action.
Minister for Veterans and People Calvin Bailey MP used the event to underline the importance of recognising and supporting the Armed Forces community. He also outlined work being carried out by the Ministry of Defence to deliver the Covenant promise.
The new Armed Forces Commissioner, Polly Perkins Miller, also set out her ambitions for the role and her commitment to championing the needs of the Armed Forces community.
A key theme of the conference was that the Covenant only has an impact when it shapes real decisions.
Speakers and delegates discussed the importance of understanding Service life when decisions are made in areas such as housing, healthcare, education, employment, transport and family support.
Workshops on the second day used case studies to examine how organisations can recognise Service-related disadvantage, consider evidence and decide when special provision may be justified.
The conference also reflected the wider ambitions set out in the Strategic Defence Review, which calls for a whole-of-society approach to defence and greater participation in national resilience.
Delegates heard that the Covenant sits at the centre of that approach by encouraging public bodies, charities, communities and Defence to work together.
The conference concluded with a focus on maintaining momentum and ensuring support for the Armed Forces community is visible in everyday decisions, not just in national policy.
