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: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/368894/family-test-guidance.pdf<\/a><\/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> 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): http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-06-04/1192/<\/a><\/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>
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