Armed Forces Bill

Page 2, line 7, at end insert—

“(c) in advance of producing his annual report, publish a list of headings of the matters to be included in the report;

(d) present the list to the covenant reference group for their consideration;

(e) include in his report any comment on or additional item proposed for inclusion by the covenant reference group.”

Page 2, line 22, at end insert—

“( ) An armed forces covenant report must include a statement from—

(a) the Secretary of State for Health,

(b) the Secretary of State for Education,

(c) the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government,

(d) the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and

(e) the relevant comparable ministers in the devolved assemblies,

in respect of progress in fulfilling obligations to serving military personnel and their families, and to veterans.”

Page 2, line 22, at end insert—

“( ) An armed forces covenant report must include a statement from—

(a) the relevant Secretaries of State, and

(b) the relevant devolved administrations in the United Kingdom,

about progress in fulfilling obligations to serving military personnel and their families, and to veterans.”

Page 2, line 39, at end insert—

“( ) Where an armed forces covenant report states that special provision for service people or particular descriptions of service people is justified, it must also state how the Secretary of State will seek to ensure that the special provision made is broadly the same in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”