The Armed Forces Covenant Duty
The Armed Forces Act 2021 strengthened the Covenant in legislation with respect to Healthcare, Education, and Housing by setting out a new Covenant legal duty. The Covenant Duty came into force on 22 November 2022.
The Armed Forces Covenant Duty is the following legal obligation:
When a specified body exercises a relevant function, it must have due regard to:
a. The unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the Armed Forces and Armed Forces Community
b. The principle that it is desirable to remove disadvantages arising for Service people from membership, or former membership, of the Armed Forces (and Armed Forces Community); and,
c. The principle that special provision for Service people may be justified by the effects on such people of membership, or former membership, of the Armed Forces (and Armed Forces Community)