Key documents
Links to key Covenant documents are provided below.
Covenant publications
Covenant legislation
- Part 16A of the Armed Forces Act 2006 – the legislation that requires the Secretary of State to publish a Covenant Annual Report each year, and contains the Covenant Legal Duty.
- The Armed Forces (Covenant) Regulations 2022 – the legislation that defines ‘relevant family members’ for the purposes of the Covenant Legal Duty, and brings the Statutory Guidance into force.
- Covenant Legal Duty Statutory Guidance
- Covenant Legal Duty toolkit – a range of resources that provide further information about the Covenant Legal Duty.
Covenant research
Historical documents
- February 2000: Soldiering – The military covenant: Army Doctrine Publication Volume 5
- 17 July 2008: Publication of The nation’s commitment: cross-government support for our armed forces, their families and veterans, which outlines two principles underpinning the nation’s commitment to the Armed Forces community.
- 25 June 2010: News story: Military covenant to be enshrined in law (the HMS Ark Royal pledge)
- 1 September 2010: Publication of Report of the Task Force on the Military Covenant and the Government’s response to it
- 8 December 2010: News story: PM welcomes report on supporting Military Covenant and News story: Government commits to progress on rebuilding Military Covenant
- 16 May 2011: News story: Armed Forces Covenant published for first time
- 10 January 2013: Publication of The Armed Forces Covenant: today and tomorrow
- 22 November 2022: Press release: New legal powers to support Armed Forces families and Veterans