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1020229

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times the Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group met in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	199321
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2018 answer text <p>Cabinet Office records indicate that the Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group met three times in each year.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 10/12/2018 16:14:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1127390

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	How many organisations have signed up to the armed forces covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Kevin Hollinrake
	uin	910986
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>To date over 3,600 organisations have signed the Covenant at an average rate of 30 per week, up from five per month in 2014. In addition, all Local Authorities in Great Britain and four in Northern Ireland have pledged to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant.</p><p> </p><p>Broadening support for the Covenant is a top priority for the Ministerial Covenant and Veterans Board and the Armed Forces Covenant annual report outlines the progress we have made.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 20/05/2019 16:45:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake

1139364

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	277822
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>The delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant remains a cross-Government priority and a nationwide commitment to ensure those who serve and have served, and their families, are not disadvantaged, and that special provision may be appropriate for those who have sacrificed the most.</p><p>The Armed Forces Covenant's Annual Report is available at this link (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-forces-covenant-annual-report-and-summary-2018) and sets out the major annual achievements of the Armed Forces Covenant across the UK and highlights remaining challenges and new commitments.</p><p>Strategic direction and oversight has been improved by the creation of the Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Board, held biannually and chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on behalf of the Prime Minister, with Ministerial representation from the relevant Departments and the Devolved Administrations.</p><p>Alongside the Covenant and Veterans Board and the Annual Report to Parliament, governance arrangements include independent scrutiny and challenge from the Service charities and military Family Federations, performance metrics, and quarterly meetings of the Covenant Reference Group, co-chaired at Director-General level by Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence.</p><p>Through the sharing of good practice, the overall outcomes for the Armed Forces community are improving. We remain committed to strengthening the Armed Forces Covenant, through new avenues, as well as our tried and tested methods of success.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/07/2019 16:17:56 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1168483

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which component of the Armed Forces Covenant he plans to place under statutory law.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	51
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government, local authorities, the wider public sector, charities, commercial organisations and civil society all have a role in supporting the Armed Forces community. While this includes support to veterans in the areas of employment, healthcare, housing, education, and financial advice, it is also about recognising how Government can make a positive difference for those in the front line of our nation's Defence. Whilst the Ministry of Defence gave statutory foundation to the Armed Forces Covenant in the 2011 Armed Forces Act, with a requirement on the Defence Secretary to report annually to Parliament, this Government has recognized more must be done to ensure the Armed Forces community suffer no disadvantage. We have therefore committed to the creation of a legal duty to have due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant and are further enshrining it in law to support this.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 07/01/2020 17:40:59 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1172527

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to bring forward legislation to provide a statutory duty to implement the Armed Forces Covenant as outlined in New Decade New Approach.
	tabling member constituency	Belfast East
	tabling member printed	Gavin Robinson
	uin	6708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>Legislation will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity. The UK Government will be engaging fully with Ministerial colleagues across the country, including those in the Northern Ireland Executive, in due course.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 27/01/2020 17:43:57 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	4360 label Biography information for Gavin Robinson

1201179

	registered interest
	date	08/06/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
	tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
	uin	55901
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to introducing legislation and it will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 10/06/2020 14:38:07 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1245180

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department last met, in person or virtually, with representatives of the each of the devolved Administrations to discuss the development and implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	East Renfrewshire
	tabling member printed	Kirsten Oswald
	uin	106378
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2020 answer text <p>Ministry of Defence (MOD) Ministers, officials and military officers regularly meet, and correspond, with representatives of the Devolved Administrations to discuss a range of issues.</p><p>I met with my counterparts in the Scottish and Welsh Governments in May this year to discuss proposals to strengthen the Covenant in law. The Chief of Defence People met with Ministers from the Welsh Government earlier in October. Officials met with counterparts from the Devolved Administrations on 14 October at a virtual conference hosted by the MOD to discuss the Covenant.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 23/10/2020 09:04:56 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	4413 label Biography information for Kirsten Oswald

1245596

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with local authorities on the Government’s policy to further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	106907
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>Ministry of Defence (MOD) Ministers regularly discuss the Armed Forces Covenant with local authorities and representative bodies. MOD officials have written to Chief Executives and included local authorities from across the UK in group discussions on the Secretary of State's legislative proposals, to gather views and explain the impact of legislation, particularly with regard to new burdens. Individual meetings are also held with local authorities who request them. Collaboration will intensify further, as local authorities work with Government on guidance which will accompany legislation.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 02/11/2020 11:05:48 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1246315

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to bring forward proposals to implement the Government’s policy on the further incorporation of the Armed Forces Covenant into law.
	tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
	tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
	uin	107615
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>This Government is committed to introducing legislation to strengthen the Armed Forces Covenant, and it will be brought forward next year in the Armed Forces Bill.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 02/11/2020 11:07:24 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1247912

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 November 2020 to Question 106907 on the Armed Forces Covenant, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter and consultation proposals his Department sent to local authority Chief Executives.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	110073
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2020 answer text <p>The Director of Armed Forces People Policy wrote to the Chief Executives and Council Leaders of a number of Local Authorities to inform them of the Government’s draft legislative proposal. This was at the request of some regional focus group members, as part of the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) policy development to further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law. I have placed a copy of this letter in the Library of the House. To date, the MOD has not sent any consultation proposals to Local Authority Chief Executives.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 05/11/2020 11:33:06 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer attachment 1 file name Letter to LA CE - Covenant Legislation.pdf title Armed Forces Covenant Legislation
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1255892

	registered interest
	date	26/11/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Armed Forces Covenant in supporting veterans in (a) Dudley, (b) the Black Country and (c) the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Dudley North
	tabling member printed	Marco Longhi
	uin	121387
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2020 answer text <p>This Government is committed to making the UK the best place to be a veteran and to do more to ensure that each veteran is valued, contributing and supported. This is why we published the Strategy for our Veterans in November 2018, and its Action Plan in January 2020, and have been working with a range of partners, including those in local Government, to make this vision a reality: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-for-our-veterans</p><p>Our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant has seen tangible progress in 2020, including through the launch of the Veterans Gateway app in May, which provides local information on services available to support veterans. Since signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we have worked closely with Dudley Council through our local liaison officers and the Council now guarantees job interviews to Service leavers and veterans who meet the minimum criteria. All past and serving personnel and their families also qualify for the half price Options Leisure Plus scheme at sports halls, swimming pools and most events at borough halls. In June, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government published new statutory guidance for local authorities to further improve access to social housing for members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.</p><p>Dudley Council now allows any veteran or Service leaver family applying for social housing to have their service years classed as years spent on its housing waiting list. All four Black Country Local Authorities are participating in the West Midlands working group supporting the Covenant legislation engagement process, ahead of the legislation being introduced to Parliament in the Armed Forces Bill next year.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 07/12/2020 12:09:30 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer previous answer version 66762 answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	4789 label Biography information for Marco Longhi

1302349

	registered interest
	date	15/03/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent steps he has taken to improve the Armed Forces Covenant; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	St Helens South and Whiston
	tabling member printed	Ms Marie Rimmer
	uin	913349
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2021 answer text <p>Supporting the Armed Forces Covenant is a key priority and the Government has introduced legislation, as part of the Armed Forces Bill, further incorporating the Armed Forces Covenant into law. The legislation introduces a duty of due regard to the Covenant principles on local public bodies, in key areas of health, housing, and education.</p><p> </p><p>The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report, published each December, outlines progress we have made as a nation to strengthen the Covenant across the UK.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 15/03/2021 16:02:26 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	4457 label Biography information for Ms Marie Rimmer

1304605

	registered interest
	date	22/03/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to encourage businesses in (a) Wakefield constituency and (b) West Yorkshire to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Wakefield
	tabling member printed	Imran Ahmad Khan
	uin	173192
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2021 answer text <p>Every Local Authority in Great Britain has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and over 6,500 organisations have also pledged support. To date, over 350 organisations hold the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Standard for partnering with Defence and our network of Regional Employment Engagement Directors continue to promote the Covenant locally.</p><p>In West Yorkshire, 148 organisations have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, 11 of which are in Wakefield.</p><p>The Department is always ready to work with local stakeholders and leaders to further raise the profile of the Armed Forces Covenant and encourage its adoption.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 26/03/2021 09:51:49 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
	tabling member	4841 label Biography information for Imran Ahmad Khan

1348703

	registered interest
	date	20/07/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage more organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South West
	tabling member printed	Stuart Anderson
	uin	36769
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2021 answer text <p>The Armed Forces Covenant applies throughout the UK and is delivered across all sectors of society. Every Local Authority in Great Britain has signed the Covenant and over 7,000 organisations have pledged support. Signing up to the Covenant is encouraged on a national and local level. Defence Relationship Management works closely with businesses and other organisations to encourage them to sign the Covenant and uphold their pledges. The Ministry of Defence works closely with local authorities to support their delivery of the Covenant. We promote the Covenant through regular communications and engagement activities, such as conferences and events. Signing the Covenant also provides the signatory with the opportunity to be recognised by the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award. To date, 494 organisations hold the ERS Gold Standard for partnering with Defence.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 22/07/2021 13:34:49 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	4742 label Biography information for Stuart Anderson

1404290

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his timetable is for the implementation of phase 2 of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Pontypridd
	tabling member printed	Alex Davies-Jones
	uin	107744
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2022 answer text <p>The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) is an ongoing programme of work and will continue to be a key part of the Ministry of Defence's long-term plans to develop and encourage public support for the Armed Forces community through the Armed Forces Covenant.</p><p>There is no timetable for the implementation of a second phase of the Defence ERS; there is an annual programme of review and award to enable interested employers to progress through the three levels of the scheme (Bronze to Silver to Gold) which begins in January each year.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 24/01/2022 16:37:55 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	4849 label Biography information for Alex Davies-Jones

1453184

	registered interest
	date	22/03/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department plans to take to monitor the application of the new Armed Forces Covenant Duty on relevant public bodies; and if he will take steps to ensure members of the Armed Forces community have access to information on the effectiveness of the Covenant's operation.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley East
	tabling member printed	Stephanie Peacock
	uin	145005
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2022 answer text <p>The Government is currently working with stakeholders to explore methods to review the effectiveness of the Covenant Duty. The Government has committed to formally review the effectiveness of the Duty in the Covenant Annual Report 2023, which will be laid before Parliament, and made available to members of the public.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 28/03/2022 11:54:44 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	4607 label Biography information for Stephanie Peacock

1609815

	registered interest
	date	14/04/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to encourage organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Solihull
	tabling member printed	Julian Knight
	uin	179948
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2023 answer text <p>Defence has a network of Defence Relationship Management National Account Managers and Regional Employer Engagement Directors who promote the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant to the employers they work with. They also help organisations through the process of devising their bespoke pledges and arranging signing events.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 24/04/2023 14:55:47 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

166972

	registered interest
	date	01/12/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase uptake of armed forces community covenants.
	tabling member constituency	North Swindon
	tabling member printed	Justin Tomlinson
	uin	216677
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2014 answer text <p>Every local authority in Great Britain has signed a Community Covenant. Work is now being undertaken to embed and sustain Covenant activity throughout the country to ensure that Service personnel, their families, and veterans have access to the information and support they need in their local communities.</p><p> </p><p>In Northern Ireland, good early progress is already being made with implementation of the Covenant, and we will continue to engage with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that the needs of the Armed Forces community are met.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 04/12/2014 16:12:27 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
	tabling member	4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson

1673951

	registered interest
	date	29/11/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to extend the duty of due regard under the Armed Forces Covenant to (a) UK Government and (b) devolved administrations before the next General Election.
	tabling member constituency	Bootle
	tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
	uin	4454
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2023 answer text <p>Since 2011, when the Armed Forces Covenant came into existence in its current form, central and devolved Governments have taken forward many initiatives to the benefit of serving personnel, veterans, and their families. However, we recognise that a clearer public acknowledgement of their role in supporting the Covenant could be beneficial. I have therefore instructed my officials to further explore how central Government and the Devolved Administrations could strengthen their commitment, and to see what more can be done in terms of the Legal Duty. This work will be taken forward over the next year and will also encompass the consideration of widening the scope of the Duty to other policy areas.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 4455 question first answered 08/12/2023 11:46:28 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

1673952

	registered interest
	date	29/11/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to extend the duty of due regard under the Armed Forces Covenant to cover (a) social care, (b) employment, (c) pensions, (d) compensation and (e) immigration before the next General Election.
	tabling member constituency	Bootle
	tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
	uin	4455
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2023 answer text <p>Since 2011, when the Armed Forces Covenant came into existence in its current form, central and devolved Governments have taken forward many initiatives to the benefit of serving personnel, veterans, and their families. However, we recognise that a clearer public acknowledgement of their role in supporting the Covenant could be beneficial. I have therefore instructed my officials to further explore how central Government and the Devolved Administrations could strengthen their commitment, and to see what more can be done in terms of the Legal Duty. This work will be taken forward over the next year and will also encompass the consideration of widening the scope of the Duty to other policy areas.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 4454 question first answered 08/12/2023 11:46:28 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

1684217

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to introduce a national protocol to provide consistent access to public services for Armed Forces families not based in one location.
	tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
	tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
	uin	10893
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2024 answer text <p>Since 2011, the Armed Forces Covenant has been improving service provision to the Armed Forces community across the country. The Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly, wherever they are in the country. Its principles are that members of the Armed Forces community should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services, and that special provision is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most, such as the injured and the bereaved.</p><p> </p><p>The Covenant is deliberately designed to be flexible to ensure the relevant organisations retain the ability to take decisions about service delivery that are right for their local context and circumstances.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 30/01/2024 15:57:45 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

172950

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on strengthening the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Bury St Edmunds
	tabling member printed	Mr David Ruffley
	uin	906912
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2015 answer text <p>In addition to what the Government has done, for example on making life long widows’ pensions, now we need to make sure there is delivery locally, which is why by this evening I will have written to all Local Authority Chief Executives and Leaders in Great Britain. Then I will write to every Clinical Commissioning Group and Hospital Trust to make sure the National Health Service delivers on the Covenant, no disadvantage and in certain circumstances priority treatment.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 12/01/2015 17:24:03 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
	tabling member	133 label Biography information for Mr David Ruffley

178480

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on (a) television, (b) newspaper, (c) online, (d) radio and (e) other forms of advertising using the phrase Armed Forces Covenant since January 2012.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
	tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
	uin	223837
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2015 answer text <p>There were no expenses captured centrally. If there are expenses of this kind, they would be at a very local level, and would be extremely difficult to trace.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 23/02/2015 17:38:39 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
	tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

179552

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on strengthening the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
	tabling member printed	Miss Anne McIntosh
	uin	224372
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2015 answer text <p>The Armed Forces Covenant annual report, laid before the house on 16 December 2014, sets out the tremendous progress that was made during 2014. For a summary of the key points I refer the hon. Member to the written statement provided by my right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Fallon) on 16 December 2014, (Official Report, columns 82-83WS).</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 23/02/2015 17:33:09 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry attachment 1 file name 20141216 - WMS - Armed Forces Covenant.doc title Hansard extract - Armed Forces Covenant
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

228104

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much LIBOR funding to date has been awarded to organisations or projects that benefit from the wider armed forces community (a) nationwide, (b) in England, (c) in Northern Ireland, (d) in Scotland and (e) in Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Moor View
	tabling member printed	Alison Seabeck
	uin	228139
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>For information on the distribution of the £35 million LIBOR Fund and the £40 million Veterans Accommodation Fund, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 March 2015, to Question 221590 to the hon. Member for Gedling (Mr Coaker).</p><p>http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-01-21/221590/</p><p>Subsequent to that answer there been two further announcements about LIBOR funded projects:</p><p> </p><p>Gurkha Homes Project: £960,000 to Gurkha Homes Limited for various locations across England.</p><p> </p><p>Scottish Veterans' Garden City Association (SVGCA) Future Shared Ownership Consortium: £551,190 for Houses for Heroes in Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>As the hon. Member will have seen, the Chancellor announced in the Budget on 18 March that a total of £450 million of LIBOR fines had been used by this Government to support the Service charities and other good causes, including a further £75 million of funding over the next five years.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on the numbers of people who have benefited, or who may benefit, from this funding. However, given the scope of some of these projects, we anticipate that - at a minimum - this will run into the tens of thousands.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry grouped question UIN 228140 question first answered 23/03/2015 17:01:50 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry attachment 1 file name HOC 221590 3 March 2015.doc title Hansard Extract Tuesday 3 March 2015
	tabling member	1552 label Biography information for Alison Seabeck

228108

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people in (a) England, (b) Northern Ireland, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales (i) have benefited and (ii) are expected to benefit from the LIBOR funding for armed forces and veterans' organisations that has been granted in each tranche to date.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Moor View
	tabling member printed	Alison Seabeck
	uin	228140
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>For information on the distribution of the £35 million LIBOR Fund and the £40 million Veterans Accommodation Fund, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 March 2015, to Question 221590 to the hon. Member for Gedling (Mr Coaker).</p><p>http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-01-21/221590/</p><p>Subsequent to that answer there been two further announcements about LIBOR funded projects:</p><p> </p><p>Gurkha Homes Project: £960,000 to Gurkha Homes Limited for various locations across England.</p><p> </p><p>Scottish Veterans' Garden City Association (SVGCA) Future Shared Ownership Consortium: £551,190 for Houses for Heroes in Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>As the hon. Member will have seen, the Chancellor announced in the Budget on 18 March that a total of £450 million of LIBOR fines had been used by this Government to support the Service charities and other good causes, including a further £75 million of funding over the next five years.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on the numbers of people who have benefited, or who may benefit, from this funding. However, given the scope of some of these projects, we anticipate that - at a minimum - this will run into the tens of thousands.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry grouped question UIN 228139 question first answered 23/03/2015 17:01:50 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry attachment 1 file name HOC 221590 3 March 2015.doc title Hansard Extract Tuesday 3 March 2015
	tabling member	1552 label Biography information for Alison Seabeck

347382

	registered interest
	date	28/05/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what organisations in each region have benefitted from the Armed Forces Covenant (Libor) Fund; and how much each such organisation has received.
	tabling member constituency	St Helens North
	tabling member printed	Conor McGinn
	uin	428
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2015 answer text <p>Information held centrally by the Ministry of Defence on the distribution of the £35 million LIBOR Fund and the £40 million Veterans Accommodation Fund is provided in the attached documents. Information on the £35 million LIBOR Fund is collated by country rather than region.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster attachment 1 file name 20150601-40M Veterans Accommodation Fund[1].doc title Veterans Accomodation Fund 2 file name 20150601-35M LIBOR Fund(2).xls HOC 428.xls title LIBOR FUND question first answered 02/06/2015 15:42:34 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4458 label Biography information for Conor McGinn

381405

	registered interest
	date	16/06/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the regional distribution of money raised by fines issued for Libor manipulation has been in each year since its introduction.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	2716
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2015 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 June 2015 to Question 428 to the hon. Member for St. Helens North (Mr McGinn).</p><p>http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-05-28/428/</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 22/06/2015 15:40:40 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton attachment 1 file name Hansard Extract HOC 428.doc title Armed Forces Covenant
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

384570

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy that all government procurement contracts for goods and services include an obligation to sign up to and fulfil the armed forces corporation covenant.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	3354
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2015 answer text <p>The Corporate Covenant provides an excellent opportunity for businesses and other organisations to declare their support for members of the Armed Forces community. To date, across the UK, more than 590 companies have pledged their support and the number is growing steadily. The Secretary of State for Defence has written to the FTSE 350 companies to challenge them to sign the Corporate Covenent.</p><p>European Union (EU) procurement law does not permit the contract award procedure or any contract condition to discriminate against any supplier in the EU. An obligation to sign up and fulfil the Corporate Covenant is likely to disadvantage suppliers outside the UK, although we encourage potential suppliers to sign up to the pledge in every invitation to tender we issue. This is a voluntary approach that allows each organisation to reach their own decisions about the level of support they provide.</p> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne question first answered 29/06/2015 15:35:11 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

416166

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Government monitors feedback on the Armed Forces Community Covenant; and what steps he is taking to strengthen this covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Northampton South
	tabling member printed	David Mackintosh
	uin	8395
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2015 answer text <p>The Secretary of State provides an annual report to Parliament on progress delivering the commitments in the Armed Forces Covenant. Importantly this report includes unedited comments from the three Service Family Federations and key representatives of the Armed Forces charity sector (including the Confederation of Service Charities, the Royal British Legion and SSAFA). This independent assessment, in conjunction with the engagement of these organisations with the Cross Government Covenant Reference Group (CRG), and my personal engagement with them as the Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans, provides an essential strand of continuous feedback on all elements of the Covenant, not just the Community Covenant.</p><p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also able to draw on the results of annual continuous attitude surveys, which provide a comprehensive picture of the views of our personnel on key issues, including the Covenant. We also have a network of personnel deployed regionally with responsibility for engaging with Local Authorities on the Covenant.</p><p>The previous Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, the right hon. Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry), wrote to each local authority in Great Britain underlining the importance of the Community Covenant and inviting them to provide details of the actions they have taken since signing the Community Covenant. This information is being used to support a broader body of work aimed at sharing and promoting best practice across Local Authorities. It builds on the three regional Community Covenant Conferences (Bristol, Manchester and Leicester) run by the MOD earlier in the year, as well as the Community Covenant event hosted at the Local Government Association annual conference in June.</p><p>Annual funding of £10 million will continue to support all 407 Local Authorities who have signed up to the Community Covenant and made a commitment to support their local Armed Forces community. The Community Covenant remains an essential strand in supporting the Armed Forces and we are committed to its successful implementation. I encourage all colleagues to engage their Local Authority on the actions they are taking to uphold the principles in the Covenant. We all have a shared responsibility for its delivery at a local level.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 10/09/2015 16:26:20 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4431 label Biography information for David Mackintosh

421674

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities uphold the Military Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
	tabling member printed	Tim Farron
	uin	12078
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2015 answer text <p>For information on this Department's engagement with Local Authorities on the Armed Forces Covenant I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 September 2015 to Question 8395 to the hon. Member for Northampton South (Mr Mackintosh).</p><p>http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-09-04/8395/</p><p>In addition, since I provided that answer I have also met with the Chairman of the Local Government Association and with the Minister for Housing and Planning at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). We are collectively planning to review the work undertaken by Local Authorities to deliver the Covenant and expect to complete this by March 2016. This will help to further identify best practice and where to target future work.</p><p>The Minister for Housing and Planning will write to all Local Authorities setting out examples of best practice and reminding them of the need to honour their commitments under the Covenant. I will also address a conference of Local Authority Community Covenant Champions in London on 4 November 2015. I hope that members' Local Authority Armed Forces Covenant champions will be there.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 20/10/2015 16:21:18 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton attachment 1 file name 20150910_8395_Armed_Forces_Covenant.docx title 20150910_QnA_Extract_on_AF_Covenant
	tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron

421781

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to ensure that the Armed Forces Covenant fully addresses the healthcare needs of all active and retired servicemen and women with (a) post-traumatic stress disorder and (b) other conditions.
	tabling member constituency	South Antrim
	tabling member printed	Danny Kinahan
	uin	12037
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2015 answer text <br /><p>The Armed Forces Covenant sets a number of goals with respect to healthcare, including that members of the Armed Forces community should enjoy the same standard of, and access to, healthcare as received by any other UK citizen in the area where they live. With regard to Mental Health, the Armed Forces Covenant states that veterans should be able to access mental health professionals who have an understanding of Armed Forces culture.</p><p>The Ministry of Defence provides primary healthcare for all Service personnel including mobilised Reservists. The provision of veterans' healthcare, including for those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions, is primarily the responsibility of the National Health Service in England and the Devolved Administrations. Veterans in England, Scotland and Wales are entitled to priority access to secondary healthcare for conditions suspected to be due to their service in the Armed Forces, subject to the clinical needs of others. In Northern Ireland, the mental health needs of returning ex-Service personnel continue to be addressed either through the Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Aftercare Service, through Combat Stress, or directly within the mainstream Primary Care and Mental Health services.</p><p>For a summary of our approach to ensuring that our serving Armed Forces personnel receive the very best mental healthcare provision, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 September 2015 to Question 9141 to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr Robertson). http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-09-07/9141/</p><p>For details of the steps we have taken to ensure that veterans are provided with the support they need, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 September 2015 to Question 9865 to the hon. Member for Inverclyde (Mr Cowan). http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-09-10/9865/</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster attachment 1 file name Hansard Extract 10 September 2015.docx title Armed Forces: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder 2 file name Hansard Extract 15 September 2015.docx title Veterans: Mental Health Services question first answered 21/10/2015 15:07:54 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4381 label Biography information for Danny Kinahan

422902

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the Armed Forces Covenant Report 2015; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	12761
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2015 answer text <br /><p>The 2015 Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report is scheduled for publication in December 2015.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 26/10/2015 16:23:23 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

429032

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2015 to Question 428, what progress has been made in ensuring funding from the Armed Forces Covenant (Libor) Fund is distributed across the UK; and which organisations in each region of the UK have benefited from that fund to date.
	tabling member constituency	St Helens North
	tabling member printed	Conor McGinn
	uin	16834
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p>Further to my answer of 2 June 2015 to Question 428 which detailed the information held centrally by the Ministry of Defence. The final project under the Veterans Accommodation Fund (VAF) was announced on 20 July 2015 and that was for £50,000 to the RAF Benevolent Fund, for replacement windows at Forge House in England. The £40 million VAF and the £35 million LIBOR Fund have now closed.</p><p>This year saw the implementation of a permanent commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant through a £10 million per annum Covenant Fund, and will be ring-fenced from the UK Defence Budget. Assessments of the first-round of small grants (up to £20,000) are currently taking place and those selected will be announced around the New Year. The deadline for the second round of applications is 17 December 2015.</p><p>The deadline for expressions of interest for the large grant scheme (£20,000 to £500,000) has now closed. Those projects accepted for round two will also be informed by 26 November 2015, the deadline for stage two applications is 13 January 2016 with stage two decisions communicated by 10 March 2016.</p><p>Although we welcome applications from across the whole of the UK, these will be selected on the basis of defined criteria. The selection panel is made up of MOD officials, sector experts and representatives from each of the Devolved Administrations.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 23/11/2015 17:31:56 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4458 label Biography information for Conor McGinn

458054

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many signatories there are to the Corporate Covenant to date; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	29937
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2016 answer text <p>As at 8 March 2016 a total of 891 organisations had signed a Corporate Pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant. The requested breakdown is provided below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Educational establishments (including training companies)</p></td><td><p>79</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>of which, schools, colleges and universities</p></td><td><p>41</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Public Health Bodies (excluding Ambulance Trusts)</p></td><td><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>of which, NHS Foundation Trusts</p></td><td><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ambulance Trusts</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Private companies</p></td><td><p>763</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>of which, private companies with ‘Limited’ in their name</p></td><td><p>355</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster grouped question UIN 29938 question first answered 10/03/2016 15:59:28 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

458056

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the signatories to the Corporate Covenant are (a) educational establishments, (b) public health bodies, including NHS foundation trusts, (c) ambulance trusts and (d) private sector limited companies.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	29938
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2016 answer text <p>As at 8 March 2016 a total of 891 organisations had signed a Corporate Pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant. The requested breakdown is provided below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Educational establishments (including training companies)</p></td><td><p>79</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>of which, schools, colleges and universities</p></td><td><p>41</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Public Health Bodies (excluding Ambulance Trusts)</p></td><td><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>of which, NHS Foundation Trusts</p></td><td><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ambulance Trusts</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Private companies</p></td><td><p>763</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>of which, private companies with ‘Limited’ in their name</p></td><td><p>355</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster grouped question UIN 29937 question first answered 10/03/2016 15:59:28 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

458057

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what audit checks have been made on projects and organisations that have received funding from Libor fines.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	29945
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2016 answer text <p>All £35 million of LIBOR funding has been allocated to projects which support the Armed Forces Community. For details of the organisations and projects which benefited from this money, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 June 2015 to Question 428 to the hon. Member for St Helens North (Mr McGinn). http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-05-28/428/</p><p> </p><p>Organisations that have received LIBOR funds are required to provide a monthly report of progress; these are reviewed and monitored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Armed Forces Covenant Team and, where appropriate, action taken to ensure that the project is on track. At the end of each project, recipients of LIBOR funding also complete a close of project report and an assessment is conducted against the original terms and conditions. This enables the MOD to confirm the closure and record lessons learnt for future grants. Where appropriate, the MOD Armed Forces Covenant Team have engaged with projects on a one-to-one basis.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster grouped question UIN 30096 30097 question first answered 10/03/2016 16:00:32 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton attachment 1 file name Hansard Extract 2 June 2015 HOC 428.docx title Armed Forces Covenant
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

458202

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which organisations and projects have received funding from the £35 million transferred to his Department from HM Treasury derived from Libor fines.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	30096
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2016 answer text <p>All £35 million of LIBOR funding has been allocated to projects which support the Armed Forces Community. For details of the organisations and projects which benefited from this money, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 June 2015 to Question 428 to the hon. Member for St Helens North (Mr McGinn). http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-05-28/428/</p><p> </p><p>Organisations that have received LIBOR funds are required to provide a monthly report of progress; these are reviewed and monitored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Armed Forces Covenant Team and, where appropriate, action taken to ensure that the project is on track. At the end of each project, recipients of LIBOR funding also complete a close of project report and an assessment is conducted against the original terms and conditions. This enables the MOD to confirm the closure and record lessons learnt for future grants. Where appropriate, the MOD Armed Forces Covenant Team have engaged with projects on a one-to-one basis.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster grouped question UIN 29945 30097 question first answered 10/03/2016 16:00:32 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton attachment 1 file name Hansard Extract 2 June 2015 HOC 428.docx title Armed Forces Covenant
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

458203

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of the £35 million transferred to his Department from Libor fines has been spent on projects supporting the armed forces community.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	30097
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2016 answer text <p>All £35 million of LIBOR funding has been allocated to projects which support the Armed Forces Community. For details of the organisations and projects which benefited from this money, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 June 2015 to Question 428 to the hon. Member for St Helens North (Mr McGinn). http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-05-28/428/</p><p> </p><p>Organisations that have received LIBOR funds are required to provide a monthly report of progress; these are reviewed and monitored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Armed Forces Covenant Team and, where appropriate, action taken to ensure that the project is on track. At the end of each project, recipients of LIBOR funding also complete a close of project report and an assessment is conducted against the original terms and conditions. This enables the MOD to confirm the closure and record lessons learnt for future grants. Where appropriate, the MOD Armed Forces Covenant Team have engaged with projects on a one-to-one basis.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster grouped question UIN 29945 30096 question first answered 10/03/2016 16:00:32 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton attachment 1 file name Hansard Extract 2 June 2015 HOC 428.docx title Armed Forces Covenant
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

506356

	registered interest
	date	08/04/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what standing procedures his Department has for engaging other departments and the devolved administrations in promoting delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	East Renfrewshire
	tabling member printed	Kirsten Oswald
	uin	32857
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2016 answer text <p>A feature of the Armed Forces Covenant is the Covenant Reference Group (CRG) which is chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and includes representatives from all of the main Government Departments and Devolved Administrations. The CRG meets regularly to guide and direct work on the Armed Forces Covenant. The CRG also includes the three Service Family Federations, COBSEO (the Confederation of Service Charities) and other charities. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) also holds regular meetings with Devolved Administrations specifically to take forward Covenant work. The MOD also works closely with other Government Departments through the CRG Ministerial Sub-committee to meet their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and in much of their day to day work.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 13/04/2016 14:40:24 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4413 label Biography information for Kirsten Oswald

518188

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage more businesses to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	36922
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2016 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence recognises the value of open, mutually beneficial relationships with employers, which is why we have introduced professionalised employer engagement at the national and regional level.</p><p>The relationships we are building show that supporting the Armed Forces community is not only the right thing for employers to do, but can also yield tangible business benefits. Showing support by signing the Armed Forces Covenant can enhance the reputation of a company and attract the interest of Reservists and Service leavers; highly skilled, well-trained professionals who can add real value to a business.</p><p>Since 2014 the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) has provided visible recognition to those employers which support Defence and is inspiring others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community. Publicity around the ERS and the Armed Forces Covenant is valuable to both Defence and the employers involved. Ministers regularly attend Armed Forces Covenant signing events, most recently with ISS UK.</p><p>Our approach is delivering benefit; almost 1,000 employers have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and research shows that overall awareness of the Covenant has increased significantly over the last year.</p> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne question first answered 12/05/2016 08:36:12 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

523452

	registered interest
	date	07/06/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps his Department has taken to adhere to the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
	tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
	uin	39690
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2016 answer text <p>The Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The Covenant is delivered by Government Departments, Local Government Authorities, the Charitable Sector and Companies.</p><p>Recent steps taken by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) include setting up a network of Armed Forces Covenant champions across the services and the launch of a new Covenant website and branding in January this year. We have been running the application process for the annual £10 million Covenant fund and the £25 million Aged Veterans Fund as well as reviewing applications for LIBOR funding. Work is also being undertaken with financial services providers to tailor their products for the Armed Forces community including Banking, Insurance and Credit History. Our engagement with Local Government Authorities to ensure that the Armed Forces Community can access the same services as other local residents has continued.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 14/06/2016 15:55:21 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

574056

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many companies have signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	North Swindon
	tabling member printed	Justin Tomlinson
	uin	44796
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2016 answer text <p>The Armed Forces Corporate Covenant was subsumed into the Armed Forces Covenant in January 2016. As at 2 September 2016 a total of 1,156 organisations have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. This total includes those organisations who signed the previous Corporate Covenant. Details of all Armed Forces Covenant signatories and their pledges are available on-line at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/armed-forces-covenant.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 08/09/2016 13:58:36 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson

636165

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Ministry of Defence contractors have signed the community covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Oliver Colvile
	uin	52865
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2016 answer text <p>This information is not held in the format requested.</p><p>However, over 1,200 commercial organisations have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging specific support for the Armed Forces Community.</p><p>Details of them can be viewed at:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-force-corporate-covenant-signed-pledges</p><p>Some of our major contractors who have signed the Covenant are:</p><p>Airbus</p><p>Amey</p><p>Atkins</p><p>Atos</p><p>Babcock</p><p>BAE Systems</p><p>Boeing</p><p>Capita</p><p>Carillion</p><p>Compass Group</p><p>Deloitte</p><p>EY</p><p>G4S</p><p>General Dynamics</p><p>Hewlett Packard</p><p>Interserve</p><p>KBR</p><p>KPMG</p><p>Leonardo</p><p>PwC</p><p>Rolls Royce</p><p>Serco</p><p>Sodexo</p><p>Thales</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 17/11/2016 16:22:18 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4022 label Biography information for Oliver Colvile

657044

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to publish its annual report on the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	57063
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/12/2016 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence published the 2016 Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report today. This will help demonstrate that while more remains to be done this Nation is honouring its pledge to the Armed Forces Community past and present; this includes tangible progress made and support offered by Departments of State, Local Authorities, the Devolved Administrations, Businesses, Charities and society as a whole.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 15/12/2016 16:14:14 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

690268

	registered interest
	date	17/02/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which local authorities applied for the (a) Covenant Fund Grant and (b) the Community Covenant Grant Scheme; how much each of those local authorities received from each of those schemes; which local authorities applied for the Covenant Fund in the 2015-16 round; and how much was awarded to each such applicant to that round.
	tabling member constituency	Northampton South
	tabling member printed	David Mackintosh
	uin	64316
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2017 answer text <p>The new Local Authorities grant programme aims to distribute £4 million in Financial Years 2016-17 and 2017-18. The programme supports Local Authorities in their delivery of their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant. Local Authorities have been able to apply to the Covenant Fund since July 2016. Decisions will be made by the Covenant Fund National Panel on 23 March 2017 as to the first year's funding, and published on the Armed Forces Covenant website. Until the grant awards have been made it would be inappropriate to say which Local Authorities submitted applications. In addition, Local Authorities are also eligible to bid for smaller grants of up to £20,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant Local Grants.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 22/02/2017 16:40:25 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4431 label Biography information for David Mackintosh

693191

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2016 to Question 44796, how many companies have signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant since 2 September 2016.
	tabling member constituency	North Swindon
	tabling member printed	Justin Tomlinson
	uin	65117
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2017 answer text <p>Since 2 September 2016 a further 302 companies have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 27/02/2017 16:37:02 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson

708469

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to support and uphold the Military Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Aberavon
	tabling member printed	Stephen Kinnock
	uin	66732
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2017 answer text <p>We have already done a huge amount to improve the lives of Service personnel, veterans and their families, as the 2016 Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report demonstrates. We continue to lead work across Government Departments, local authorities, businesses and the charitable sector to embed and sustain delivery of the Covenant, to address disadvantage wherever it arises, and ensure fairness. We have shown our long term commitment to delivering the Covenant by allocating £10 million a year to continue funding projects and initiatives that support our people.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 14/03/2017 16:21:22 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4359 label Biography information for Stephen Kinnock

710260

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the effective delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Sunderland Central
	tabling member printed	Julie Elliott
	uin	909209
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2017 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk) and Halifax (Holly Lynch).</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 13/03/2017 17:21:12 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	4127 label Biography information for Julie Elliott

748457

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Government's policy is on those who have served in HM forces and wish to buy a council or housing association property under the terms of the Military Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Christchurch
	tabling member printed	Mr Christopher Chope
	uin	3272
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2017 answer text <p>The Policy on the right to buy socially-held accommodation is a matter for the relevant housing authorities and is not covered under the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant's primary role is to remove the disadvantages that our Serving personnel, veterans and families may face as a result of their Service and to offer them a fair deal in comparison with all other British citizens. The available evidence does not suggest that veterans have greater challenges in finding accommodation than any other citizen.</p><p>We support our Armed Forces to get on the housing ladder and get a good job when they leave, through our resettlement programmes, Help to Buy Schemes and Career Transition Partnerships, and the vast majority transition well to civilian life.</p><p>However a small number may struggle and we work very closely with local authorities and the Devolved Administrations to ensure that the help they need is available to them. Initiatives such as ensuring fair access to social housing, Help to Buy schemes, and support through organisations such as the Riverside English Churches Housing Group, and Veterans' Hubs exist to address the range of housing needs of veterans and their families.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 10/07/2017 15:38:37 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	242 label Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope