Cabinet Office
The Armed Forces Covenant was brought in under the Armed Forces Act 2011 to recognise sacrifices made by the armed forces, and to work with businesses, local authorities, charities and community organisations to support the forces through services, policy and projects.
This Armed Forces Day, government departments are encouraged to promote the Armed Forces Covenant with their suppliers through their procurement activity, and encourage them to sign up to the covenant.
By signing up to the covenant suppliers must be proactive in supporting veterans, and service spouses/partners, by being flexible to their needs when recruiting and during employment.
The covenant, which is non-binding, also encourages active participation in local and national activities such as Armed Forces Day and with local cadets.
Minister for Cabinet Office, Matt Hancock, said:
As we mark the importance of our Armed Forces on this day, suppliers to government will be reminded of the moral obligation that society owes to the armed forces community and will be encouraged to become signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.
More than 1,000 companies across the country have signed up so far and are making a real difference to the experience of those who serve or have served the country, and their families. However, many companies are still to sign, and without their support the armed forces community will not get the fair deal they deserve.
Our new Procurement Policy Note encourages government departments to use their procurement activities to raise awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant with their suppliers, and encourage them to become signatories to the covenant.