Armed Forces Covenant Padding

The Armed Forces Act 2021 came into force on 22nd November 2022. The new Act builds on existing legislation (the Armed Forces Act 2006) and reinforces the Armed Forces Covenant by placing legal requirements on some organisations, including:

  • Fife Council - specifically education and housing services
  • Fife Health and Social Care Partnership/Fife Integration Joint Board, and
  • NHS Fife

The new Act introduces the Armed Forces Covenant Duty. This makes it a statutory duty for these bodies (whether or not they have already signed the Armed Forces Covenant pledge) to consider the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant and any supporting guidance, when planning, funding and delivering specific functions in healthcare, education and housing.

This includes having due regard for: 

  • the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces;
  • the principle that it is desirable to remove disadvantages arising for Service people from membership, or former membership, of the armed forces; and, 
  • the principle that special provision for Service people may be justified by the effects on such people of membership, or former membership, of the armed forces.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve. It says we will do all we can to ensure that they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives. This includes offering injured servicemen and women and bereaved families extra support where appropriate.

The Covenant has been in place since 2011 and initially it was a voluntary commitment. Both Fife Council and NHS Fife have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant:

To those who proudly protect our nation, who do so with honour, courage, and commitment, the Armed Forces Covenant is the nation’s commitment to you.

It is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

We, the people, recognise this duty to you who so bravely do yours.

You can click here to find out more: www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk