5 Conclusion
114. We support the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant,
in that:
Children of members of the Armed Forces should
have the same standard of, and access to, education (including
early years services) as any other UK citizen in the area in which
they live.
115. In this inquiry, we have identified that
the mobility required of Armed Forces personnel means their children
face considerable challenges in achieving the same access to education
as the rest of the UK population. During the inquiry it has also
become clear that in order to meet the obligations made in the
Armed Forces Covenant, the Government is dependent on the voluntary
agreement of the numerous bodies who all play a part in providing
education for the children of Service personnel.
116. In our view there is a conflict at the heart
of the Armed Forces Covenant because the Government is dependent
on the commitment of those who provide education services—Government
Departments, Local Authorities and the devolved administrations—offering
the same provision to all Service families wherever they live
in the UK. The Government must demonstrate its commitment to the
Armed Forces Covenant by seeking the co-operation of the Devolved
Administrations and Local Authorities to ensure that its obligations
are met.
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