Armed forces charities cheer covenant

News.., Politics, Social care, Top News — By admin on 20/05/2011 11:44 am

Ex-service charity Poppyscotland has welcomed the government’s statement on the military covenant which aims to improve the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their families. Following Defence Secretary Liam Fox MP’s announcement that the covenant will be established in law, Poppyscotland, the charity that supports veterans and their families living in Scotland, has, along with other veterans’ campaigners, enthusiastically greeted the measures outlined to help disadvantaged members of the Armed Forces community.

Poppyscotland Chief Executive Ian McGregor said: “This is a landmark announcement from the UK Government and I welcome it wholeheartedly.

 

“If the principles of today’s legislation are implemented properly it will go a long way towards improving the welfare of our Armed Forces communities.” Ian McGregor, Poppyscotland

 

“The military covenant clearly states that the nation has a duty of care towards those who have served and have made sacrifices for their country. They and their families are entitled to fair treatment and to be valued and respected.” He added: “The measures announced provide the building blocks for significant improvements to the lives and futures of our Armed Forces communities, particularly in the areas of education, housing and health.

 

“We are also pleased to see that attention is being given to those who have been seriously injured in active service. We hope that enshrining the military covenant in law will ensure that in the future, those who need and deserve care and support will receive it.

 

“The very laudable aim of the covenant is to respect the commitment of our Armed Forces personnel and to ensure that they are not disadvantaged because of their service. Incorporating the covenant into law can only help this aim to be achieved.” The campaign to persuade Prime Minister David Cameron to meet commitments to the Armed Forces was led by the Royal British Legion which said the “historic breakthrough” would benefit service personnel and their families for generations to come.

Tags: Armed Forces, poppyscotland, veterans