A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR RAF FAMILIES
The Armed Forces Covenant
Myth Buster
by Kitty Jenkins of the MoD Covenant Team T
he Armed Forces Covenant was published in May last year along with a document called ‘Today and Tomorrow’
which listed nearly 100 real, tangible commitments the Government has made to the Armed Forces Community. There seems to be much confusion surrounding the Covenant and what it is there to achieve. We have put together a ‘myth buster’ in the hope that it will provide some answers.
It IS a Government priority
A Cabinet committee has had four meetings to check Ministers are delivering what they said they would, and the Prime Minister has been to two of these meetings.
It IS about fair treatment The Covenant exists to make sure Service people, veterans and their families are on an equal footing with ordinary citizens when it comes to accessing public and commercial services. For example, if you and your family are posted somewhere new, you shouldn’t have to go to the back of the queue for any healthcare treatment you might be waiting for, or struggle to get your child into a local school. We’ve made sure that doesn’t happen by allowing you to keep your place on NHS waiting lists and by letting schools go over their maximum class size to fit in a service child.
40 Envoy Autumn 2012
It’s NOT about extra-special treatment for all the Forces For most of the Armed Forces Community, the Covenant is about removing disadvantage so that you get the same outcome as those within the civilian community. It’s not about getting special treatment that ordinary citizens wouldn’t receive, or getting a better result.
It IS about special consideration in some cases For those who have given the most, such as the injured and the bereaved, we do make an exception. For example we’ve made sure that Service people with genital injuries are guaranteed three cycles of IVF on the NHS, and we’ve established a scholarship fund for bereaved service children.
It’s NOT a legal document The Armed Forces Covenant itself is not a legal document, but it is referenced in the Armed Forces Act 2011 and the Secretary of State for Defence is legally required to report to Parliament on its progress once a year.
It IS having an impact on the lives of the Armed Forces Community A huge number of positive changes have been made since May 11, but sometimes you might not recognise them as Covenant commitments. We’ve
twice doubled council tax relief to nearly £600 for a six-month deployment, we’ve introduced BFPO postcodes to make it easier to access commercial products and we’ve given priority access to social housing for veterans, bereaved families and Service people who need adapted homes.
It IS about local communities too The Covenant is not just about the Government delivering commitments on a national level. More than 100 local communities have signed a Community Covenant. It is a voluntary statement of mutual support between civilians and the Armed Forces in their area to encourage mutual understanding and to bring the two communities together. Alongside it we run the Community Covenant Grant Scheme, set up to fund projects that support its aims.
It IS an obligation on the whole of society
The Covenant is an obligation on the whole of society. It includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations and individuals, all of whom are asked to recognise our Armed Forces and offer respect, support and fair treatment.
For more information on anything you’ve read here, go to
www.mod.uk/covenant
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56