Armed Forces Bill

AFB 03

Further written evidence from the Ministry of Defence

Further to the memoranda of 8 September and 26 October, the purpose of this memorandum is to inform the Committee that the Ministry of Defence has added one further provision to the Armed Forces Bill.

The new provision will place a statutory duty on the Secretary of State to report annually to Parliament on the effect of serving in the Armed Forces on the welfare of serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.

The main focus of the reports will be on the effects of service on the welfare of members and former members of the Armed Forces and their families. Reports will cover members of the Armed Forces and their families, and former members of the Armed Forces and their families who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.

Since welfare covers a broad range, three topics are specified that would be covered in every report. These are: healthcare, education and housing. Beyond those, the Defence Secretary will have flexibility in deciding the content of each annual report. He will also have flexibility over whether to cover other communities. But the overall context will be the effects of service on the welfare of members and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Given the areas to be covered, the Ministry of Defence will of course consult extensively, including with the devolved administrations, in the course of preparing each report.

30 November 2010