Earlier this year, the Prime Minister hosted a reception to recognise the employers demonstrating and advocating the very best in support for the Armed Forces, through the Armed Forces Covenant. This includes support to the employment of Veterans, Reservists and spouses, and ensuring that our Armed Forces can access the commercial goods and services they need while overseas.
It has been fantastic that over 800 companies have signed the Covenant, but around our national Armed Forces Day I believe we can go further. I am therefore seeking to encourage more of our local businesses and organisations to sign up to the Covenant. I was delighted to discuss this at Medway's 2016 Armed Forces Day celebration of our brave and dedicated service personnel.
Our local businesses can make a range of written and publicised promises to set out their support to our valued Armed Forces members who work for or access their products and services. The level of support will of course be dependent on the size and nature of the organisations, but typically includes policies that: encourage reserve service; support employment of veterans and service spouses/partners; give the Armed Forces community a fair deal on commercial products and services.
All Armed Forces Covenants are to be signed by a person in authority who can ensure that commitments are implemented and maintained. Depending on the size and structure of your organisation, this could mean the Chief Executive, Chair or HR Director of larger companies, or the owner or manager of a smaller business. If you wish to have your pledge co-signed by a member of the Armed Forces, I would encourage you to please contact the Defence Relationship Management who will make the necessary arrangements.
Our members and veterans of the Armed Forces sacrifice so much for the defence of our nation and the least we can owe them and their families is the appropriate professional care and respect. As we pay our thanks to all of those servicemen and women around this year’s Armed Forces Day, I would encourage as many of our local businesses as possible to expand our Covenant community.