North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, has spoken of his delight at three recent Government announcements that will re-affirm its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Armed Forces Covenant sets out the relationship between the nation, the government and the armed forces. It recognises that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the armed forces and their families, and it establishes how they should expect to be treated. The covenant’s two key principles are that the armed forces community should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public & commercial services and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved. The covenant exists to redress the disadvantages that the armed forces community may face in comparison to other citizens, and to recognise sacrifices made.
After last year’s announcement by the Chancellor that the Government would use the fines levied on banks following the LIBOR scandal to support armed forces charities, the Government has now announced that further funding from these fines will pay for veteran visits to Remembrance Services on the continent and to waive the VAT due on ceramic poppies which formed the Tower of London display.
Finally, the Ministry of Defence has announced that from April 2015, the Government will end the injustice that prevented widows from receiving their armed forces pension if they choose to re-marry. This is an issue that Justin had previously raised directly with the Defence Secretary.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Our armed forces are brave and dedicated members of the community, whose commitment is unquestioned and to whom we owe a great debt. These announcements build on the important Covenant announcements of previous years and show our support for members of the armed forces, be they still active, retired or sadly no longer with us.”
