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<br /><br /><p>The Family Test was announced by the Prime Minister in August 2014
and introduced in October 2014. The Department for Work and Pensions published guidance
for Departments and officials on how the test should be applied when formulating policy
and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) follows that guidance: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/368894/family-test-guidance.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/368894/family-test-guidance.pdf</a></p><br
/><p>The Family Test is an integral part of the policy making process and is applied
in a proportionate way in the development of all new policy in line with the Family
Test guidance. While the guidance states that Departments should consider publishing
assessments carried out under the Test, there is no requirement to do so.</p><br /><br
/><p>Over the last five years the MOD has significantly increased the support provided
to the families of Service personnel. For details of these I refer the hon. Member
to the answer I gave on 9 June 2015 to Question 1192 to the hon. Member for Enfield
Southgate (Mr Burrowes): <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-06-04/1192/"
target="_blank">http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-06-04/1192/</a></p><br
/><p>Since I provided that answer I was delighted to announce to the Confederation
of Service Charities (COBSEO) Annual General Meeting on 30 September our plans for
the first UK Armed Forces Families Strategy, the aim of which is to provide a clearer
focus for our efforts to understand, value and empower the families of our Armed Forces
personnel. This Strategy will build on the successes outlined in my answer by addressing
inconsistencies and incoherence in MOD policies and by improving our communications
to Armed Forces families.</p><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
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