Government moves to fix ‘broken’ military covenant
The government has promised to provide better support for service personnel, their families and veterans, after being roundly criticised for failing in its duty of care towards the armed forces.
Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth announced yesterday service personnel will be the first beneficiaries of a cross-government command paper, designed to coordinate efforts across Whitehall departments.
Mr Ainsworth said: “I’m very pleased to announce this strategy – it will give us the chance to look with colleagues across government, and beyond, at how we provide the best possible support to our armed forces.
“A lot has been done in recent years in a whole range of areas – but I know we can do better. We in government have a responsibility to recognise the commitment and sacrifice our armed forces make for our country, and in return we must look after them and their families.”
The Liberal Democrats said the defence white paper amounts to an admission of failure on armed forces’ welfare.
Lord John Lee, the Lib Dem defence spokesman in the Lords, said: “The government has finally recognised it is failing to meet the needs of our service men and women.
“A big-picture strategy is long overdue, but it must not become an excuse to put the issue of forces’ welfare on the back burner.”
Lord Lee called on parliament to consider hosting an annual armed forces day, giving MPs and peers a designated time to debate defence policy.
The chief of the defence staff, air chief marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said the command paper was welcomed as a “timely move” to co-ordinate activity across Whitehall.
He continued: “We have a service personnel strategy, but many of the issues that concern our people, their families, and our veterans, go beyond the Ministry of Defence (MoD). With this in mind, the secretary of state has agreed the need for a wider cross-government approach.
“We in Defence will continue to focus on personnel issues, but there is great merit in bringing the challenges more to the fore across a wider audience.”
The Conservatives, who have strongly criticised the government for their treatment of the armed forces, said Labour were now “ripping of” their Forces’ Families Manifesto.
Shadow defence minister Liam Fox insisted the review did not disguise the fact the government had “broken” the military covenant.
Mr Fox said: “On housing, proper equipment or the backlog of inquests, this government has failed our armed forces and their families.”
In September, the British Legion took an uncharacteristically political step of calling on the government to honour the military covenant.
Ahead of Remembrance Day, Gordon Brown attempted to repair relations with the charity.
In a letter to the Legion yesterday, Mr Brown wrote: “I want to express my huge appreciation to the Royal British Legion for all its vital work in supporting members of the armed forces.
“You should be very proud of your achievements and I know that the armed forces, as am I, are very grateful for all that you do.”
