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Armed Forces Covenant: Northern Ireland

Question for Northern Ireland Office

UIN 95012, tabled on 24 September 2020

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent progress has been made on full implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant in Northern Ireland.

Answered on

29 September 2020

We have been making good progress on implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant in Northern Ireland, in line with my party’s manifesto pledges and UK Government commitments in the New Decade, New Approach Agreement.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has appointed Danny Kinahan as the first ever Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, to act as a voice and advocate for veterans as they make the transition to civilian life. Moreover, we have secured additional funding for the Veterans’ Support Office to assist them in delivery of the Covenant at ground level in Northern Ireland.

Elsewhere, a review of the Aftercare Service will consider whether their remit can be extended to cover all HM Forces veterans living in Northern Ireland with service-related injuries and conditions.

Finally, our Armed Forces Covenant legislation will mandate local authorities to pay due regard to the experience of veterans so that they suffer no disadvantage in society. This will apply UK-wide, and the Ministry of Defence is working closely with the territorial offices and devolved administrations to ensure it is implemented effectively across the four nations.

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