The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
It covers two key principles:
All local authorities in mainland UK and over 4,000 companies have now signed the Covenant, including AFF in our capacity as an employer.
To see the list of companies, see armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/get-involved/who-has-signed-the-covenant
Watch the Armed Forces Covenant explainer video.
Back to topThe Covenant applies to all members of the Armed Forces community, wherever you live.
It is interpreted in different ways locally depending on local needs, including in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Back to topThe Covenant provides support in a number of key areas for Army families including:
For the most up-to-date changes that the Covenant has affected, read the latest annual report at GOV.UK – Armed Forces Covenant: annual reports.
Back to topThe Covenant Duty places a legal obligation on public bodies to pay ‘due regard to the principles of the Covenant’ and requires decisions about the development and delivery of certain services to be made with the conscious consideration of the needs of the Armed Forces community.
Public bodies need to consider the unique impacts of Service life and how this may cause a disadvantage for Service families accessing services, compared to civilians.
The legal obligation impacts public bodies that are responsible for delivering:
For more information, please see:
GOV.UK: Armed Forces Covenant Duty Statutory Guidance
The New Armed Forces Covenant Duty: What it means for the Armed Forces Community. – Armed Forces Covenant
Armed Forces Covenant Duty toolkit
The Secretary of State confirmed in November 2024 that the Government planned to legislate to put the Covenant “fully into law” in the next Armed Forces Bill, which would be introduced in the next session of Parliament, starting in 2025.
The House of Commons Defence Committee therefore held an inquiry in order to look more closely at the current state of the Armed Forces Covenant and sought views on how it might be expanded and improved.
As a result of this inquiry, a report was published by the House of Commons Defence Committee calling for the Legal Duty – the duty to give due regard to military service – to be expanded to central government departments and the devolved administrations. And it wants understanding of the Armed Forces Covenant to be deeply embedded in the country’s institutions as well as wider society.
Back to topNo, as the Armed Forces Covenant is designed to prevent disadvantage, rather than offer advantage. But it does mean that providers of public services within healthcare, education and housing will need to actively consider how Service life can affect families accessing services.
Back to topNo, this also applies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Back to topPlease visit the contact us page and our enquiries team will ensure your enquiry will be sent to the relevant specialist to help with your issue.