Minister for Veterans and People welcomes Bill to extend Covenant Legal Duty

February 6, 2026

Hear how the Covenant Legal Duty extension will strengthen support for our Armed Forces communities from Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP:

Armed Forces Bill: Extension of the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty

The Armed Forces Bill will deliver on the government’s manifesto promise to extend the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty to every area of government and Devolved Governments, placing the Armed Forces community at the heart of policy and decision making.

What does this mean for our people?

This will ensure that all government departments must consider the needs of the Armed Forces community when shaping policy. Decisions on childcare, education and training, employment, health and social care, housing, social security benefits, personal taxation, criminal justice, transport, pensions, immigration and citizenship, will take the unique challenges of Service life into account.

It gives serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families a meaningful voice and delivers on the Government’s pledge to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve and have served.