Armed Forces Covenant a ‘lottery’ that needs reform

The Armed Forces Covenant is being applied too inconsistently across the UK and must be strengthened in law, according to the Defence Committee’s latest report.

Committee Chair Tan Dhesi MP warned that the support framework for military personnel and their families is failing to live up to its promises.

“Our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to protecting our nation and make huge personal sacrifices in doing so,” said Dhesi. “Military service can take a toll on personnel and their families… so society must work hard to ensure that no one suffers disadvantages for serving the country.”

The report highlights that while some military families have been able to access services under the Covenant, others have faced delays to healthcare, difficulties securing school placements for their children, and even financial disadvantage due to their service.

“When the Covenant works – it works well,” Dhesi noted. “But this is a lottery, made worse by the unpredictability and mobility of service life. When trying to access healthcare, each move can send Service families to the bottom of waiting lists for treatment.”

The Committee is calling for the Legal Duty—requiring due regard to be given to military service—to be expanded across central government and devolved administrations. Dhesi said it’s vital that public and private sector organisations alike are made fully aware of their responsibilities.

“Government must provide guidance and direction, so that both the private and public sector have clarity on what their responsibilities to Service personnel and their families are, and so that personnel, families and veterans can rely on the Covenant wherever they are.”

The full report was published Tuesday morning and forms part of Parliament’s ongoing scrutiny of how well the UK supports its Armed Forces community.