Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary and North Devon MP Nick Harvey today [Monday] called on the Government to renew the Military Covenant as the Liberal Democrats launch ‘Our Nation’s Duty’, an action plan for improving the welfare of our Armed Forces.

Our Nation’s Duty calls for: 

A Cross-Party Military Covenant Committee to be charged with conducting an annual review of the state of the military covenant and provide credible recommendations drawing on the expertise and experience of its members.
An assurance from all parties that the Armed Forces will not intervene without the guarantee that they will have the necessary resources, manpower and equipment that ensures our personnel are secure in the commitment
A written military covenant for all three services which gives real entitlements and holds the government to account on these and a new strategic defence review which puts personnel issues at its centre
Ring-fenced budget on welfare and accommodation within the Defence Budget
More special military-only wards to help injured personnel to recover and also ease transition to civilian life
Appropriate medical care and counselling for troops returning from service
All service accommodation to be upgraded as quickly as possible and assessed at the highest standard according to the Army’s Standard for Conditions

Commenting Nick Harvey MP said:

“It should not be for our Armed Forces to have to lobby the Government for change. We have a duty of care to all our servicemen and women who show bravery and courage in adversity and risk the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

So far they have been failed by successive Governments who have not met their obligations and are to blame for poor quality accommodation, inadequate care, and critical overstretch.

In our paper we propose positive efforts to honour the covenant and rectify these shortfalls.

Surely this is the least our Forces deserve.”