Daily Express

Deal to aid our brave troops is ‘not honoured’

- By John Ingham Defence Editor

BRAVE British troops are being let down by a failure to honour the Military Covenant, a shocking report revealed yesterday.

It found that 38 per cent of serving and former military personnel and their families “felt disadvanta­ged as a result of their service”.

The study also found “a mis-match” between the covenant’s perceived remit and what is being delivered.

In 2011 David Cameron pledged to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure that “those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly”.

This included ensuring that they do not miss out on services such as priority housing, school places for their children, jobs and health support.

This promise was in recognitio­n of the risks taken by military personnel on behalf of their country.

However, an estimated 10 per cent of rough sleepers are thought to be former service personnel. And the education of military children can suffer because of their parents’ frequent postings to different areas.

The report – released today by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) and the Local Government Associatio­n – says more than a third of the Armed Services feel they lose out because of serving their country.

The report, which was produced with the support of the Ministry of Defence, says: “In some aspects there is a mismatch between what is perceived to be the Covenant’s remit, and what is being delivered.”

It called on the Government, local councils, military charities and the Armed Forces community to do more.

The study recommends more can be done to help those personnel leaving the military by keeping in touch with them.

Ray Lock, chief executive of FiMT, said: “When you leave the Armed Forces, it can be a significan­t challenge to adapt to the pressures and demands of everyday civilian life

“The support of local government, working with the Ministry of Defence through the Armed Forces Covenant, is vital.

“I urge the MoD, local councils, military charities and members of the Armed Forces community themselves to examine these recommenda­tions carefully and so deliver the support our Armed Forces, and their families, deserve.”

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