The Royal British Legion and PoppyScotland have released the below council motion to re-affirm council’s commitment to uphold and promote the Armed Forces Covenant – which outlines the nations obligation to those who have served in the armed forces.
The Armed Forces Covenant was introduced as part of the Armed Forces Act 2011 and aa Armed Forces Covenant Duty was introduced in 2022, which placed a duty of local authorities to reflect the covenant when exercising their health, education and housing functions.
In 2026 the Armed Forces Bill was introduced as legislation which seeks to extend the covenant duty to all UK Government departments, devolved Governments and additional policy areas.
You can copy and paste the model motion from the Royal British Legion below. You can also find it on their website here.
[Council Name] notes that:
- [Council Name] first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in [INSERT YEAR], committing to support local members of the Armed Forces community.
- [Council Name] is accredited with the Bronze / Silver / Gold [DELETE AS APPROPRIATE] Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award, demonstrating Forces-friendly employment practices.
- The UK Government commitment to further extend the Armed Forces Covenant in law is welcome, and provides opportunity to enhance support to the Armed Forces community.
[Council Name] resolves to:
- Write to the Minister for Veterans and People, in support of The Royal British Legion’s ‘Keep the Covenant Promise’ campaign:
- To call for improved statutory guidance and funding to all public bodies in scope of the extended Duty, including local authorities, to deliver better support through the expanded Covenant Duty.
- To ask that the UK Government implements a dedicated programme of promotional activity on the Armed Forces Covenant, in order to improve public awareness and positively recognise those who serve / have served in HM Armed Forces.
- To ensure that the impact of the expanded Covenant Duty is thoroughly monitored, and that members of the Armed Forces community can access effective means of redress in cases where the Duty is not fulfilled.
- To call for improved statutory guidance and funding to all public bodies in scope of the extended Duty, including local authorities, to deliver better support through the expanded Covenant Duty.