Armed Forces Bill 2024-26

40

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause—
“Employer policies on the employment of members of the reserve forces
(1) An employer to which this section applies must prepare, maintain and publish a policy on the employment of members of the reserve forces.
(2) The policy must make provision about—
(a) time off for reserve forces training, including any entitlement under section 50A of the Employment Rights Act 1996;
(b) the treatment of a period of permanent service under a call-out order or a recall order for the purposes of pay, pension, seniority and continuity of employment;
(c) reinstatement under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985;
(d) the post responsible for the operation of the policy;
(e) how an employee may make a request, or raise a complaint, under it.
(3) The employer must make the policy accessible to every it employee and, where it maintains a website, publish it there.
(4) The employer must review the policy at least once every three years.
(5) This section applies to an employer that employed, on average, 50 or more persons in the United Kingdom during the preceding financial year.
(6) The Secretary of State must issue guidance for the purposes of this section, which must include a model policy, and the employer must have regard to it.
(7) The Secretary of State must, each calendar year, lay before Parliament a report on compliance with this section.
(8) A failure to comply with this section does not give rise to any liability in civil proceedings.
(9) In this section “member of the reserve forces” has the meaning given by section 1 of RFA 1996.”

This new clause would require employers with 50 or more employees to publish and maintain a policy on the employment of reservists. It carries no sanction and no civil liability. It puts on a statutory basis an existing requirement of Silver and Gold employers under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

41

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause—
“Right to time off for reserve forces training
(1) The Employment Rights Act 1996 is amended as follows.
(2) After section 50 insert—
“50A Right to time off for reserve forces training
(1) An employer must permit an employee who is a member of a reserve force to take time off during the employee’s working hours to undertake relevant reserve forces training.
(2) “Relevant reserve forces training” means training which the employee is required or authorised to undertake under section 22 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 and which consists of—
(a) the annual period of continuous training, or
(b) a course of instruction leading to promotion, or to the award of a qualification recognised by the Defence Council for that purpose.
(3) An employee is not entitled to time off under this section unless continuously employed by the employer for not less than 26 weeks ending with the day on which notice is given under subsection (5).
(4) The entitlement is ten working days in any leave year, reduced proportionately in the case of an employee who does not work full-time.
(5) The employee must give the employer notice in writing specifying the dates on which and the purpose for which the time off is to be taken, not less than 28 days before the first of those dates or, where that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as it is.
(6) The employer may require a certificate, signed by the employee’s commanding officer or by an officer authorised by the commanding officer, confirming the purpose and duration of the training.
(7) This section confers no entitlement to remuneration, and does not prevent an employer permitting time off where it is not required to do so.
(8) Time off taken under a contractual entitlement for a purpose within subsection (2) counts towards, and does not increase, the entitlement under this section.
(9) This section does not apply to an employer that employed, on average, fewer than ten persons in the United Kingdom during the preceding financial year.
(10) In this section “leave year” has the meaning given by regulation 13(3) of the Working Time Regulations 1998 and “member of a reserve force” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996.”
(3) In section 51(1), after “section 50” insert “or 50A”.”

This new clause would give reservists a right to ten days’ unpaid leave a year for annual continuous training and promotion courses, so that such training need not be taken from annual leave. The right would arise once an employee has been with their civilian employer for 26 weeks, and would not apply to employers with fewer than ten employees. Ten days is already the Gold standard under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and the Civil Service has provided paid leave of this kind since 2012.

42

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause—
“Refusal of employment on grounds of membership of the reserve forces
(1) It is unlawful to refuse a person employment because that person is, has been, or proposes to become a member of the reserve forces, or is or may become liable to be called out or recalled for service.
(2) A person is refused employment if the prospective employer—
(a) refuses or deliberately omits to entertain or process an application or enquiry,
(b) causes the person to withdraw or cease to pursue an application,
(c) refuses or deliberately omits to offer employment,
(d) makes an offer on terms which no reasonable employer wishing to fill the post would offer, and which is not accepted, or
(e) withdraws an offer, or causes the person not to accept it.
(3) It is unlawful for an employment agency to refuse a person any of its services for a reason falling within subsection (1).
(4) A person refused employment or services in contravention of this section may complain to an employment tribunal within six months of the conduct complained of, or within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable where it was not reasonably practicable to complain in time.
(5) Where the tribunal finds the complaint well founded it must make a declaration to that effect, and may award compensation, including compensation for injury to feelings, of such amount as it considers just and equitable, and may recommend action to obviate or reduce the adverse effect of the conduct complained of.
(6) Where the complainant proves facts from which the tribunal could conclude, in the absence of any other explanation, that this section was contravened, the tribunal must uphold the complaint unless the respondent shows that the conduct was in no sense whatsoever on a ground falling within subsection (1).
(7) In this section “member of the reserve forces” has the meaning given by section 1 of RFA 1996 and “employment agency” has the meaning given by section 13(2) of the Employment Agencies Act 1973.”

This new clause would make it unlawful to refuse a person employment because they are, or may become, a reservist, with a remedy in the employment tribunal. Existing protection is confined to dismissal, so a job applicant has none. The clause follows the model used for trade union membership in Part III of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

43

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause—
“Detriment on grounds of membership of the reserve forces
(1) A worker has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by their employer on a ground falling within section (Refusal of employment on grounds of membership of the reserve forces)(1).
(2) This section does not apply where the detriment amounts to dismissal.
(3) Subsections (4) to (6) of that section apply to a complaint under this section.
(4) In this section “worker” and “employer” have the meanings given by section 230 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.”

This new clause would protect reservists from detriment short of dismissal, such as the denial of promotion or the withdrawal of duties, on the ground of their reserve service. Dismissal is already addressed by the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 and section 48 of the Defence Reform Act 2014.

44

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause—
“Self-employed members of the reserve forces
(1) It is unlawful to subject a member of the reserve forces to a detriment on a ground falling within section (Refusal of employment on grounds of membership of the reserve forces)(1) by—
(a) refusing to enter into, terminating, or varying to that person’s disadvantage, a contract for the provision of services, or
(b) refusing that person admission to a partnership, expelling that person from a partnership, or subjecting that person to any other detriment in relation to a partnership.
(2) Subsections (4) to (6) of that section apply to a complaint under this section.
(3) The Secretary of State must, within twelve months of the day on which this Act is passed, review the financial support available to self-employed members of the reserve forces in respect of periods of training, and lay a report of the review before Parliament.
(4) The review must consider the case for a scheme of financial assistance to self-employed members of the reserve forces, and to businesses in which such members hold a controlling interest, comparable to schemes operated in Australia and Canada.
(5) In carrying out the review the Secretary of State must consult representative bodies of the self-employed and of small businesses, the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, and such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.”

This new clause would extend protection to self-employed reservists in relation to contracts for services and partnerships, and would require a review of the financial support available to them for training.

45

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause—
“Public procurement: employment of members of the reserve forces
(1) Section 13 of the Procurement Act 2023 (the national procurement policy statement) is amended as follows.
(2) After subsection (2) insert—
“(2A) The national procurement policy statement must include provision about how contracting authorities are to take into account, in the exercise of their procurement functions, a supplier’s arrangements for the employment and support of members of the reserve forces.
(2B) Provision made by virtue of subsection (2A) must in particular address—
(a) whether the supplier maintains a policy under section (Employer policies on the employment of members of the reserve forces) of the Armed Forces Act 2026;
(b) whether the supplier permits time off for reserve forces training in excess of any entitlement under section 50A of the Employment Rights Act 1996;
(c) the supplier’s recognition, if any, under any scheme operated by the Secretary of State for Defence for the recognition of employers who support the armed forces.”
(3) In subsection (3)(a), after “appropriate” insert “, which must include consultation with the Secretary of State for Defence”.”

This new clause would require the national procurement policy statement, to which contracting authorities must have regard under section 13(9) of the Procurement Act 2023, to address how a supplier’s arrangements for employing reservists are taken into account.

69

Clause 55, page 71, line 15, at end insert—
“(2A) Section (Employer policies on the employment of members of the reserve forces) comes into force at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.”

70

Clause 55, page 71, line 15, at end insert—
“(2A) Section (Right to time off for reserve forces training) comes into force at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.”

46

Schedule 6, page 133, line 17, at end insert—
“(aa) the chairs of the regional councils;”

This amendment would allow for regional chairs to sit on the RFCA board.

47

Schedule 6, page 133, line 27, after “(1)(a)” insert “, (aa)”

This amendment would allow for regional chairs to sit on the RFCA board.

49

Schedule 6, page 137, line 10, at end insert—
“(4A) Each regional council must arrange, from each county in its area—
(a) for the appointment as members of the RFCA naval members, marine members, military members and air force members;
(b) for the appointment as members of the RFCA by the Defence Council, after consultation with, and on the recommendation of, the bodies to be represented, representatives of such of the local authorities wholly or partly within the area for which the RFCA is established as the Defence Council may from time to time determine;
(c) for the appointment as members of the RFCA by the Defence Council, representatives of universities whose activities are carried on wholly or partly within the area for which the RFCA is established;
(d) for the appointment as members of the RFCA by the Defence Council, persons representing the Army Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps, the Combined Cadet Force and the Sea Cadet Corps;
(e) for the appointment as members of the RFCA by the Defence Council, persons representing employers, and persons employed, in the area for which the RFCA is established;
(f) for the appointment of co-opted members;
(g) for the mode of appointment, dismissal, term of office and rotation of members of the RFCA and the filling of casual vacancies;
(h) for the election of a chairman and a vice-chairman or vice-chairmen by the RFCA and for defining their powers and duties;
(i) for the appointment by the RFCA, subject to the approval of the Defence Council, of a secretary and other officers of the RFCA;
(j) for dividing the area for which the RFCA is established into two or more parts and for establishing sub-associations for any of the parts.”

This amendment would ensure that the wider membership, as referenced in the 2019 Sullivan review, is retained in primary legislation.

55A

Clause 48, page 68, line 15, at end insert- "(8) After section 230(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (salvage claims against the Crown and Crown rights of salvage and regulation thereof) insert - “(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply to any vessel, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, cargo or equipment which has sunk or been stranded while in military service.”””

24

After Clause 10, insert the following new Clause – “Domestic abuse and summary hearings for assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (1) A commanding officer may not hear summarily a charge of assault or occasioning actual bodily harm where the alleged conduct amounts to, or is alleged to amount to, domestic abuse. (2) In any case to which subsection (1) applies, the allegation must be referred to a service police force for investigation or the Director of Service Prosecutions for consideration of prosecution before the Court Martial or such other court as has jurisdiction. (3) In this section, “domestic abuse” has the same meaning as in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.”

25

Clause 11, page 30, line 28, at end insert- "(1A) The code for victims in the service justice system may not restrict the applications of its provisions to exclude victims of sexual offences or domestic abuse offences, including service personnel who are victims and whose cases are being investigated or prosecuted in the civilian justice system."

26

After Clause 14, insert the following new Clause "Production orders: notice to the subject of the material (1) After article 16 of the Armed Forces (Powers of Stop and Search, Search, Seizure and Retention) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2056) insert- "16A Notice to the subject of the material (1) This Article applies where an application is made for a production order requiring a person to produce or give access to material relating to another identifiable person. (2) Subject to paragraph (4), notice of the application must be given– (a) to the person against whom the order is sought, and (b) to the person to whom the material relates. (3) A person to whom notice is given under subsection (2)(b) must have the right to make representations to the judge advocate before the application is determined. (4) A production order may not be made unless the judge advocate is satisfied that the requirements have been complied with. (5) A judge advocate may dispense with the requirement to give notice under subsection (2)(b) only where satisfied that— (a) giving notice would create a substantial risk of prejudice to the investigation or prosecution of a serious offence, (b) giving notice would create a substantial risk of harm to any person, or (c) there are other exceptional circumstances which make it in the interests of justice to do so. (6) Where notice is dispensed with under (5) the judge advocate must record the reasons for doing so.”””

54

After Clause 42, insert the following new Clause – "Amendment to the Visiting Forces Act 1952 In section 1(1)(a) (countries to which Act applies) of the Visiting Forces Act 1952, at end insert ", or the United States"."

55

After Clause 42, insert the following new Clause- "Visiting forces: qualifying sexual offences (1) After section 3 of VFA 1952 insert - "ЗА Qualifying sexual offences: restriction on relinquishment of jurisdiction (1) This section applies where- (a) a person is alleged to have committed a qualifying sexual offence in the United Kingdom at a time when the person was a member of a visiting force or of its civilian component, and (b) the alleged victim was not at that time a member of that force or component, or a dependant of such a member. (2) It is to be presumed that any investigation of the alleged offence will be conducted by a United Kingdom police force and that any proceedings in respect of it will be conducted before a United Kingdom court. (3) A relevant authority may not transfer the investigation of the alleged offence to the authorities of the sending country, or consent to the exercise of jurisdiction over it by those authorities, or otherwise waive the United Kingdom's primary right to exercise jurisdiction in respect of it, except pursuant to a decision under subsection (4). (4) The relevant prosecutor may decide that the alleged offence is to be dealt with under the law of the sending country only if - (a) the decision is made by the relevant prosecutor personally, (b) the relevant prosecutor has had regard to - (i) the gravity of the alleged offence, (ii) the connection of the alleged victim and of the offence with the United Kingdom, (iii) the capacity of the sending country's arrangements, including its treatment of victims, to secure justice in the case, (iv) any matters relied on in support of a request for a waiver, and (v) any representations regarding the decision made within a reasonable period by the alleged victim, and (c) the relevant prosecutor is satisfied that, by reason of exceptional circumstances, it is in the interests of justice for the alleged offence to be so dealt with. (5) On making a decision under subsection (4) the relevant prosecutor must record the decision and the reasons for it in writing and, so far as reasonably practicable, notify them to the alleged victim. (6) Nothing in this section prevents sympathetic consideration being given to a request by the sending country for a waiver of the United Kingdom's primary right; but effect may be given to such a request only in accordance with this section. (7) For the purposes of this Act, an act constituting a qualifying sexual offence is not capable of arising out of and in the course of a person's duty as a member of a visiting force or of its civilian component; and a certificate under section 11(4) is accordingly of no effect in relation to such an offence. (8) In this section – “alleged victim” means the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed and, where that person has died or lacks capacity to act, includes a member of that person's family; "qualifying sexual offence” means an offence under Part 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, an offence under Part 1 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 or rape at common law in Scotland, an offence under the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008, or an offence of attempting, conspiring in, encouraging or assisting, or aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of, such an offence; “relevant authority” means a relevant prosecutor, the chief officer of any United Kingdom police force (including the Ministry of Defence Police), the Provost Marshal of any service police force, the Director of Service Prosecutions, or a person acting under the direction and control of any of them; “relevant prosecutor” means the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to England and Wales, the Lord Advocate in relation to Scotland, and the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland in relation to Northern Ireland." (2) In section 11 of VFA 1952 (evidence), after subsection (8) (inserted by section 42) insert- "(9) This section is subject to section 3A(7).”””

66

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause- “Waived fees for indefinite leave to remain for spouses or children of serving or discharged members of the armed forces (No. 2) (1) Within three months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision for the waiving of fees for indefinite leave to remain for the spouses and children of a member or previously serving member of the armed forces who has served for four or more years. (2) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament."

67

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause- "Veterans: concessionary bus travel (1) The Secretary of State must establish a concessionary travel scheme for eligible veterans. (2) The scheme must provide eligible veterans with free travel on eligible bus services. (3) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument may make provision about eligibility, eligible services, geographical coverage, administration and reimbursement of operators. (4) In exercising the duty under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must have regard to existing concessionary travel arrangements in each part of the United Kingdom. (5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament."

68

Clause 55, page 71, line 5, at end insert – “(ba) section (Visiting forces: qualifying sexual offences);”

5

Clause 2, page 2, line 25, leave out “national authority” and insert “public authority”

This amendment, and the others to Clause 2 in the name of Baroness Goldie, would expand the application of the armed forces covenant to include all public bodies and authorities, particularly NDPBs and publicly owned companies.

8

Clause 2, page 3, line 23, leave out ““national authority”” and insert ““public authority””

This amendment, and the others to Clause 2 in the name of Baroness Goldie, would expand the application of the armed forces covenant to include all public bodies and authorities, particularly NDPBs and publicly owned companies.

9

Clause 2, page 3, line 25, leave out ““National authority”” and insert ““Public authority””

This amendment, and the others to Clause 2 in the name of Baroness Goldie, would expand the application of the armed forces covenant to include all public bodies and authorities, particularly NDPBs and publicly owned companies.

10

Clause 2, page 3, line 32, at end insert—
“(e) a publicly owned company;
(f) a non-departmental public body;
(g) any other person certain of whose functions are functions of a public nature.”

This amendment, and the others to Clause 2 in the name of Baroness Goldie, would expand the application of the armed forces covenant to include all public bodies and authorities, particularly NDPBs and publicly owned companies.

11

Clause 2, page 5, line 41, at end insert—
““non-departmental public body” means a body corporate that is not regarded as a servant or agent of the Crown but which carries out functions of a public nature;
“publicly owned company” means a company that is—
(a) wholly owned by the Crown,
(b) wholly owned by the wider public sector, or
(c) wholly owned by the Crown and the wider public sector.”

This amendment, and the others to Clause 2 in the name of Baroness Goldie, would expand the application of the armed forces covenant to include all public bodies and authorities, particularly NDPBs and publicly owned companies.

37

After Clause 27, insert the following new Clause—
“Removal of presumption of suspended sentence orders
(1) The Armed Forces Act 2006 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 200 (suspended sentence orders), omit subsections (1)(aa) and (1)(ba).
(3) Omit section 200ZB.”

This amendment removes the presumption of a suspended sentence order from the service justice system.

58

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Overseas operations and the European Convention on Human Rights
(1) The Human Rights Act 1998 is amended as follows.
(2) For section 7A (limitation: overseas forces proceedings) substitute—
“7A No proceedings for overseas operations
(1) No proceedings may be brought under section 7(1)(a) in respect of any overseas operations by His Majesty’s forces.
(2) “Overseas operations” means any operations outside the British Islands, including peacekeeping operations and operations for dealing with terrorism, civil unrest or serious public disorder, in the course of which members of His Majesty's forces come under attack or face the threat of attack or violent resistance.
(3) “His Majesty’s forces” has the same meaning as in the Armed Forces Act 2006 (see section 374 of that Act).
(4) A member of the regular or reserve forces who has been deployed on an overseas operation under this Act may not be subject to the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights for the duration of that deployment.”
(3) After section 14 (derogations), insert—
“14A Overseas operations and the European Convention on Human Rights
(1) Where the Secretary of State considers that any overseas operation is, or is likely to be, significant, the Secretary of State must authorise for the United Kingdom to make a derogation under Article 15(1) of the Convention.
(2) In this section “overseas operations” has the same meaning as in section 7A.””

This new clause seeks to make provision for the members of the regular or reserve forces who have been deployed under this Act to be exempt from the European Convention on Human Rights for that period of deployment.

20

Schedule 1, page 75, line 7, at end insert—
“Oversight board
9A (1)The Defence Housing Service is to have an oversight board.
(2)The oversight board must consist of—
(a)the Chief Executive,
(b)the Chair, and
(c)12 members of His Majesty’s Forces.
(3)The members of His Majesty’s Forces who are to be members of the oversight board must—
(a)currently live, or have recently lived, in service family accommodation, and
(b)be selected in such a manner as specified in regulations made by the Defence Council.
(4)The manner of selection that is prescribed in regulations under sub-paragraph (3)(b) must ensure that—
(a)four members are currently serving in the army,
(b)four members are currently serving in the Royal Navy, and
(c)four members are currently serving in the Royal Air Force.
(5)The function of the oversight board is to ensure that the views of service personnel living in service family accommodation are represented to the Defence Housing Service.
(6)In this paragraph “service family accommodation” means accommodation primarily for use by members of His Majesty’s Forces and their families.”

This amendment seeks to create an oversight board for the Defence Housing Service to ensure that the views of those who live in service family accommodation are taken into consideration.

16

Clause 3, page 7, line 26, at end insert—
“(e) improving the satisfaction of service personnel and their families with the accommodation provided.”

This amendment would create a new function for the Defence Housing Service of improving satisfaction for service personnel.

27

Clause 16, page 36, line 22, leave out paragraph (b)

This amendment, and others in the name of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, seeks to remove the requirement that an offence must be a ‘serious offence’ for a Provost Marshall to be the appropriate authority and instead allow the Provost Marshall to be an appropriate authority in all service offences.

28

Clause 16, page 36, line 28, leave out “serious” and insert “service”

This amendment, and others in the name of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, seeks to remove the requirement that an offence must be a ‘serious offence’ for a Provost Marshall to be the appropriate authority and instead allow the Provost Marshall to be an appropriate authority in all service offences.

29

Clause 16, page 36, line 31, leave out “for serious crime, and” and insert “who directs the investigating service police force”

This amendment seeks to ensure that custody can be authorised by whichever service police force is investigating.

31

Clause 16, page 37, line 3, leave out “serious” and insert “service”

This amendment, and others in the name of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, seeks to remove the requirement that an offence must be a 'serious offence' for a Provost Marshall to be the appropriate authority and instead allow the Provost Marshall to be an appropriate authority in all service offences.

32

Clause 16, page 37, leave out lines 14 and 15

This amendment, and others in the name of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, seeks to remove the requirement that an offence must be a 'serious offence' for a Provost Marshall to be the appropriate authority and instead allow the Provost Marshall to be an appropriate authority in all service offences.

33

Clause 16, page 37, leave out lines 21 to 33

This amendment, and others in the name of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, seeks to remove the requirement that an offence must be a 'serious offence' for a Provost Marshall to be the appropriate authority and instead allow the Provost Marshall to be an appropriate authority in all service offences.

35

Clause 21, page 40, line 13, at end insert—
“(iii) a retired holder of such a rank.”

This amendment would add retired officers to those qualified for membership of the Court Martial.

59

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Impersonation of service police
(1) Section 90 (Impersonation, etc.) of the Police Act 1996 is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (1), after “force” insert “including service police”.
(3) In subsection (2), after “force” insert “including service police”.
(4) In subsection (3), after “force” insert “including service police”.
(5) Subsection (4), at end insert—
“(ba) “service police” has the same meaning as in section 375 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (definitions relating to the service police and other police forces).””

The amendment seeks to amending section 90 of the Police Act 1996 to make impersonating a service police officer a specific offence and afford service police the same protections against impersonation given to their civilian counterparts.

60

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Protection of service police from assaults
(1) Section 3 (Meaning of “emergency worker”) of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection 1, after paragraph b, at end insert—
“(ba) a service police officer;”.
(3) In subsection 3, at end insert—
““service police” has the same meaning as in section 375 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (definitions relating to the service police and other police forces).””

The amendment seeks to amend section 3 of the Assaults On Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 to specifically include service police within the meaning of an emergency worker.

19

Schedule 1, page 74, line 26, at end insert—
(4)The Chief Executive of the Defence Housing Service, once appointed, must report directly to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, regarding the performance of the Defence Housing Service.”

This amendment requires the Chief Executive of the Defence Housing Service to report directly to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces regarding the performance of the Defence Housing Service.

30

Clause 16, page 36, leave out lines 32 and 33

This amendment, and others in the name of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, seeks to remove the requirement that an offence must be a 'serious offence' for a Provost Marshall to be the appropriate authority and instead allow the Provost Marshall to be an appropriate authority in all service offences.

34

Clause 16, page 38, line 1, leave out from “charge)” to end of line 5 and insert “in subsection (1), for “commanding officer of” substitute “appropriate authority in relation to””

This amendment seeks to ensure that service police can apply to a Judge Advocate for an extension of custody in all cases.

17

Clause 3, page 8, line 24, at end insert—
“(ba) single living accommodation,”

This amendment would add single living accommodation to the definition of defence housing to ensure that defence housing standards apply to single living accommodation as well as service family accommodation.

18

After Clause 3, insert the following new Clause—
“Single living accommodation standards
(1) The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 101 (The standard of MOD accommodation), after "service family accommodation", in each place it occurs, insert “and single living accommodation”.
(3) In section 101(10), at end insert “
“single living accommodation” means any building or part of a building which is provided for the use of a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline as living accommodation, but which is not service family accommodation.”

This new clause amends the Renters' Rights Act 2025 to ensure defence housing standards apply to single living accommodation.

38

After Clause 36, insert the following new Clause—
“Service of notices by email
(1) RFA 1996 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 32 (call out of persons who have entered into special arrangements)—
(a) after subsection (6) insert—
“(6A) A notice under this section may also be served on a person by email by sending it to—
(a) the last known email address used by that person as a means for communicating with them, or
(b) if there is no such address, an email address by means of which there are reasonable grounds to believe that an email sent to that address will come to the attention of the person,
and such a notice is, unless the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been received on the day following the day on which the email is sent.”;
(b) in subsection (7) after “subsection (6)” insert “or (6A)”.
(3) In section 43 (call out of special members)—
(a) after subsection (7) insert—
“(7A) A notice under this section may also be served on a person by email by sending it to—
(a) the last known email address used by that person as a means for communicating with them, or
(b) if there is no such address, an email address by means of which there are reasonable grounds to believe that an email sent to that address will come to the attention of the person,
and such a notice is, unless the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been received on the day following the day on which the email is sent.”;
(b) in subsection (8) after “subsection (7)” insert “or (7A)”.
(4) In section 58 (call out of members of a reserve force on authority of call-out order)—
(a) after subsection (7) insert—
“(7A) A notice under this section may also be served on a person by email by sending it to—
(a) the last known email address used by that person as a means for communicating with them, or
(b) if there is no such address, an email address by means of which there are reasonable grounds to believe that an email sent to that address will come to the attention of the person,
and such a notice is, unless the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been received on the day following the day on which the email is sent.”;
(b) in subsection (8) after “subsection (7)” insert “or (7A)”.
(5) In section 70 (recall of persons on authority of recall order)—
(a) after subsection (7) insert—
“(7A) A notice under this section may also be served on a person by email by sending it to—
(a) the last known email address used by that person as a means for communicating with them, or
(b) if there is no such address, an email address by means of which there are reasonable grounds to believe that an email sent to that address will come to the attention of the person,
and such a notice is, unless the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been received on the day following the day on which the email is sent.”;
(b) in subsection (8) after “subsection (7)” insert “or (7A)”.”

This new clause enables certain notices given under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to be sent to persons by email in addition to the current provisions of the Act enabling service by post.

61

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Independent review of Armed Forces recruitment and retention
(1) The Secretary of State must commission an independent review of the processes for recruitment and retention across His Majesty's forces.
(2) The review under subsection (1) must, in particular, consider—
(a) the efficiency and consistency of recruitment processes across the Royal Navy, the regular army, the Royal Air Force and the reserve forces,
(b) the effectiveness of steps being taken to improve diversity and inclusion within His Majesty's forces,
(c) the impact of the quality of defence housing (including single living accommodation) on the retention of service personnel, and
(d) the impact of the medical discharge process on retention and transition to civilian life.
(3) A report of the review must be laid before each House of Parliament no later than 12 months after the day on which this Act is passed.”

This new clause requires the Government to commission an independent review into recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces and lay the report of the review before Parliament.

62

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Duty to provide medical records on discharge
(1) This section applies where a person ceases to be a member of the regular forces or the reserve forces.
(2) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for a complete copy of the person's service medical records to be provided to the person no later than one month after the day on which the person is discharged or otherwise ceases to be a member of those forces.
(3) Those regulations may specify the manner and form in which service medical records are to be provided under this section, including provision for records to be transferred directly to a civilian health body with the person's consent.
(4) In this section—
“health body” has the same meaning as in section 343AZB;
“service medical records” means any records relating to the person's physical or mental health care and treatment created or maintained by or on behalf of His Majesty's forces during the person's period of service.”

This new clause places a statutory duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that all service personnel leaving the military receive a complete copy of their medical records within one month of their discharge date.

63

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Personal independence payment reassessment exemption for amputees
(1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must make regulations which make provision for persons who have experienced an amputation as a consequence of their membership in the armed forces to be exempt from personal independence payment reassessments except in instances in which such persons have requested a reassessment.
(2) For the purposes of this section,
“personal independence payment” has the meaning given by Part 4 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to make regulations to ensure that persons who have experienced an amputation as a consequence of their membership in the armed forces are exempt from personal independence payment reassessments.

64

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Reporting on the Defence Investment Plan
(1) Every six months after the passage of this Act for the duration of this Parliament, and every year thereafter, the Secretary of State must publish a report on the implementation of the Defence Investment Plan.
(2) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of each report under subsection (1) before each House of Parliament.”

This new clause would compel the Government to publish and lay before Parliament a regular report on the implementation of the Defence Investment Plan every six months during this Parliament, and annually thereafter.

65

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Report on the impact of Defence Investment Plan delays
(1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish an impact assessment of the delays to the implementation of the Defence Investment Plan.
(2) The report under subsection (1) must include an assessment of the impact of such delays on—
(a) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the UK defence supply chain,
(b) military procurement, equipment capability timelines, and operational readiness, and
(c) the financial sustainability of defence sector businesses.
(3) In preparing the report under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises in the defence sector, and
(b) the Defence Suppliers Forum.
(4) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report under subsection (1) before each House of Parliament.”

This new clause requires the Secretary of State to publish and lay before Parliament a one-time report within six months of the Act's passage assessing the impact of Defence Investment Plan delays on military procurement and defence businesses, with particular focus on SMEs.

39

Schedule 5, page 129, line 28, leave out “fourth” and insert “third”

This amendment makes a drafting correction.

48

Schedule 6, page 134, line 22, leave out paragraph 4

This amendment would ensure non executive board members remain unpaid and therefore genuinely committed to the reserves and cadets.

50

Schedule 6, page 137, line 17, at end insert—
“(7) Each regional council in England and Wales (except Greater London) and Northern Ireland must make arrangements—
(a) for constituting as president of the regional council the lord-lieutenant of one of the counties or parts of counties for which the regional council is established, and
(b) for constituting as vice-presidents of the regional council the lord-lieutenants of those counties or parts of counties for which the regional council is established (if they are willing to act).
(8) Each regional council in Scotland will make arrangements—
(a) in the case where a regional council area coincides with a local government area or where a local government area contains two or more regional council areas, for the selection of the president and vice-presidents of the regional council from the lord-lieutenants residing in the local government area, or
(b) in the case where a regional council area falls within two or more local government areas, for the selection of the president and vice-presidents of the regional council from the lord-lieutenants residing in those local government areas.
(9) A regional council established for an area including Greater London shall provide for constituting the lord-lieutenant of Greater London as president of the regional council.”

This amendment would ensure Lord-Lieutenants’ involvement as presidents of regional councils remains enshrined in primary legislation.

51

Schedule 6, page 137, line 17, at end insert—
“(7) A national council must be established whose members will be the chairs of the regional councils and such other members as the Defence Council shall appoint.”

This amendment would ensure that there is a national voluntary body to bring together the views and contributions of the regional councils.

Clause 2, page 3, line 22, at end insert- “343AZAA Duty to identify service people (1) This section applies where, and so far as, a person specified in section 343AZA(4) exercises a public function which relates to a relevant matter in relation to that person. (2) The person must make arrangements to establish and record whether an individual in relation to whom the function is exercised is a service person. (3) The arrangements must enable the individual to state which of the descriptions in section 343B(1) applies to them, and in particular whether they are a current member of the reserve forces, and to correct or update that information. (4) No individual is required to answer, and a refusal to answer must not affect any entitlement to, or the provision of, any service. (5) The Secretary of State must, after consulting the Welsh Ministers, the Scottish Ministers and the relevant Northern Ireland department, issue guidance about arrangements under this section, including the form of words to be used; and a person specified in section 343AZA(4) must have regard to that guidance. (6) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament an annual report on the operation of this section. (7) In this section “service person” means a person falling within the definition of “service people” in section 343B(1).”

Clause 2, page 3, line 22, at end insert- "343AZAA Health bodies: fitness of members of the reserve forces (1) This section applies where a health body exercises a public function relating to health and social care in relation to an individual who is a member of the reserve forces. (2) The health body must have due regard to the need for that individual to attain and maintain the standards of medical and dental fitness required for the purposes of a call-out order or a recall order, and to the consequences of any delay for that individual’s availability for service under Part 6 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (call out for permanent service). (3) Nothing in this section requires a health body to provide any assessment, examination or treatment otherwise than in accordance with clinical need; but where two or more individuals are of equivalent clinical priority, subsection (2) may be taken into account. (4) The Defence Council must publish the standards referred to in subsection (2) in such manner as it thinks appropriate. (5) The Secretary of State must, after consulting the Welsh Ministers, the Scottish Ministers and the relevant Northern Ireland department, issue guidance about the operation of this section, to which a health body must have regard. (6) In this section “health body” has the meaning given by section 343AZB(5) and "member of the reserve forces” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996."

After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause- "Independent review (1) The Secretary of State must appoint an independent authority to review the operation and effectiveness of section 2 and to receive representations from individuals who are affected by this Act. (2) The review must be completed within three years of the day on which this Act is passed. (3) A copy of the review must be laid before both Houses of Parliament."

After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause – "Annual report to Parliament (1) The Secretary of State must, in respect of each calendar year, lay before Parliament a report on the operation and effectiveness of the duties imposed by section 2. (2) A report must include- (a) an assessment of whether members of the armed forces community continue to experience disadvantage arising from service life, (b) an assessment of outcomes achieved by relevant public bodies in addressing such disadvantage, (c) details of expenditure incurred in connection with the discharge of duties under section 2, and (d) recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the duties imposed under section 2."

After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause- "Impact assessment on local authorities (1) Before bringing section 2 into force, the Secretary of State must publish an assessment of the anticipated impact of the duties imposed by section 2 on local authorities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. (2) The assessment must include - (a) expected administrative burdens, (b) anticipated financial costs, (c) staffing implications, and (d) arrangements for reimbursement of additional expenditure."

After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause— "New burdens principle The Secretary of State must ensure that any additional expenditure reasonably incurred by a local authority in complying with duties imposed by section 2 is met by funding provided by the Secretary of State.”

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause – "Employer policies on the employment of members of the reserve forces (1) An employer to which this section applies must prepare, maintain and publish a policy on the employment of members of the reserve forces. (2) The policy must make provision about- (a) time off for reserve forces training, including any entitlement under section 50A of the Employment Rights Act 1996; (b) the treatment of a period of permanent service under a call-out order or a recall order for the purposes of pay, pension, seniority and continuity of employment; (c) reinstatement under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985; (d) the post responsible for the operation of the policy; (e) how an employee may make a request, or raise a complaint, under it. (3) The employer must make the policy accessible to every it employee and, where it maintains a website, publish it there. (4) The employer must review the policy at least once every three years. (5) This section applies to an employer that employed, on average, 50 or more persons in the United Kingdom during the preceding financial year. (6) The Secretary of State must issue guidance for the purposes of this section, which must include a model policy, and the employer must have regard to it. (7) The Secretary of State must, each calendar year, lay before Parliament a report on compliance with this section. (8) A failure to comply with this section does not give rise to any liability in civil proceedings. (9) In this section “member of the reserve forces” has the meaning given by section 1 of RFA 1996."

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause – “Right to time off for reserve forces training (1) The Employment Rights Act 1996 is amended as follows. (2) After section 50 insert – "50A Right to time off for reserve forces training (1) An employer must permit an employee who is a member of a reserve force to take time off during the employee's working hours to undertake relevant reserve forces training. (2) "Relevant reserve forces training” means training which the employee is required or authorised to undertake under section 22 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 and which consists of - (a) the annual period of continuous training, or (b) a course of instruction leading to promotion, or to the award of a qualification recognised by the Defence Council for that purpose. (3) An employee is not entitled to time off under this section unless continuously employed by the employer for not less than 26 weeks ending with the day on which notice is given under subsection (5). (4) The entitlement is ten working days in any leave year, reduced proportionately in the case of an employee who does not work full-time. (5) The employee must give the employer notice in writing specifying the dates on which and the purpose for which the time off is to be taken, not less than 28 days before the first of those dates or, where that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as it is. (6) The employer may require a certificate, signed by the employee's commanding officer or by an officer authorised by the commanding officer, confirming the purpose and duration of the training. (7) This section confers no entitlement to remuneration, and does not prevent an employer permitting time off where it is not required to do so. (8) Time off taken under a contractual entitlement for a purpose within subsection (2) counts towards, and does not increase, the entitlement under this section. (9) This section does not apply to an employer that employed, on average, fewer than ten persons in the United Kingdom during the preceding financial year. (10) In this section “leave year” has the meaning given by regulation 13(3) of the Working Time Regulations 1998 and “member of a reserve force” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996." (3) In section 51(1), after “section 50” insert “or 50A”.”

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause- "Refusal of employment on grounds of membership of the reserve forces (1) It is unlawful to refuse a person employment because that person is, has been, or proposes to become a member of the reserve forces, or is or may become liable to be called out or recalled for service. (2) A person is refused employment if the prospective employer – (a) refuses or deliberately omits to entertain or process an application or enquiry, (b) causes the person to withdraw or cease to pursue an application, (c) refuses or deliberately omits to offer employment, (d) makes an offer on terms which no reasonable employer wishing to fill the post would offer, and which is not accepted, or (e) withdraws an offer, or causes the person not to accept it. (3) It is unlawful for an employment agency to refuse a person any of its services for a reason falling within subsection (1). (4) A person refused employment or services in contravention of this section may complain to an employment tribunal within six months of the conduct complained of, or within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable where it was not reasonably practicable to complain in time. (5) Where the tribunal finds the complaint well founded it must make a declaration to that effect, and may award compensation, including compensation for injury to feelings, of such amount as it considers just and equitable, and may recommend action to obviate or reduce the adverse effect of the conduct complained of. (6) Where the complainant proves facts from which the tribunal could conclude, in the absence of any other explanation, that this section was contravened, the tribunal must uphold the complaint unless the respondent shows that the conduct was in no sense whatsoever on a ground falling within subsection (1). (7) In this section “member of the reserve forces” has the meaning given by section 1 of RFA 1996 and “employment agency” has the meaning given by section 13(2) of the Employment Agencies Act 1973.”

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause- "Detriment on grounds of membership of the reserve forces (1) A worker has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by their employer on a ground falling within section (Refusal of employment on grounds of membership of the reserve forces)(1). (2) This section does not apply where the detriment amounts to dismissal. (3) Subsections (4) to (6) of that section apply to a complaint under this section. (4) In this section “worker” and “employer” have the meanings given by section 230 of the Employment Rights Act 1996."

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause – "Self-employed members of the reserve forces (1) It is unlawful to subject a member of the reserve forces to a detriment on a ground falling within section (Refusal of employment on grounds of membership of the reserve forces)(1) by - (a) refusing to enter into, terminating, or varying to that person's disadvantage, a contract for the provision of services, or (b) refusing that person admission to a partnership, expelling that person from a partnership, or subjecting that person to any other detriment in relation to a partnership. (2) Subsections (4) to (6) of that section apply to a complaint under this section. (3) The Secretary of State must, within twelve months of the day on which this Act is passed, review the financial support available to self-employed members of the reserve forces in respect of periods of training, and lay a report of the review before Parliament. (4) The review must consider the case for a scheme of financial assistance to self-employed members of the reserve forces, and to businesses in which such members hold a controlling interest, comparable to schemes operated in Australia and Canada. (5) In carrying out the review the Secretary of State must consult representative bodies of the self-employed and of small businesses, the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, and such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate."

After Clause 38, insert the following new Clause- "Public procurement: employment of members of the reserve forces (1) Section 13 of the Procurement Act 2023 (the national procurement policy statement) is amended as follows. (2) After subsection (2) insert – “(2A) The national procurement policy statement must include provision about how contracting authorities are to take into account, in the exercise of their procurement functions, a supplier's arrangements for the employment and support of members of the reserve forces. (2B) Provision made by virtue of subsection (2A) must in particular address – (a) whether the supplier maintains a policy under section (Employer policies on the employment of members of the reserve forces) of the Armed Forces Act 2026; (b) whether the supplier permits time off for reserve forces training in excess of any entitlement under section 50A of the Employment Rights Act 1996; (c) the supplier's recognition, if any, under any scheme operated by the Secretary of State for Defence for the recognition of employers who support the armed forces.” (3) In subsection (3)(a), after “appropriate” insert “, which must include consultation with the Secretary of State for Defence”.”

Schedule 6, page 133, line 17, at end insert- "(aa) the chairs of the regional councils;"

Schedule 6, page 133, line 27, after “(1)(a)” insert “, (aa)”

Schedule 6, page 137, line 10, at end insert- "(4A) Each regional council must arrange, from each county in its area – (a) for the appointment as members of the RFCA naval members, marine members, military members and air force members; (b) for the appointment as members of the RFCA by the Defence Council, after consultation with, and on the recommendation of, the bodies to be represented, representatives of such of the local authorities wholly or partly within the area for which the RFCA is established as the Defence Council may from time to time determine; (c) for the appointment as members of the RFCA by the Defence Council, representatives of universities whose activities are carried on wholly or partly within the area for which the RFCA is established; (d) for the appointment as members of the RFCA by the Defence Council, persons representing the Army Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps, the Combined Cadet Force and the Sea Cadet Corps; (e) for the appointment as members of the RFCA by the Defence Council, persons representing employers, and persons employed, in the area for which the RFCA is established; (f) for the appointment of co-opted members; (g) for the mode of appointment, dismissal, term of office and rotation of members of the RFCA and the filling of casual vacancies; (h) for the election of a chairman and a vice-chairman or vice-chairmen by the RFCA and for defining their powers and duties; (i) for the appointment by the RFCA, subject to the approval of the Defence Council, of a secretary and other officers of the RFCA; (j) for dividing the area for which the RFCA is established into two or more parts and for establishing sub-associations for any of the parts."

Schedule 6, page 141, line 32, leave out paragraph (b)

Clause 55, page 71, line 15, at end insert- “(2A) Section (Employer policies on the employment of members of the reserve forces) comes into force at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.”

Clause 55, page 71, line 15, at end insert- "(2A) Section (Right to time off for reserve forces training) comes into force at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.”

Clause 3, page 8, line 24, at end insert- "(ba) single living accommodation,”

After Clause 3, insert the following new Clause- "Single living accommodation standards (1) The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is amended as follows. (2) In section 101 (The standard of MOD accommodation), after "service family accommodation", in each place it occurs, insert “and single living accommodation”. (3) In section 101(10), at end insert ““single living accommodation” means any building or part of a building which is provided for the use of a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline as living accommodation, but which is not service family accommodation."

After Clause 36, insert the following new Clause- “Service of notices by email (1) RFA 1996 is amended as follows. (2) In section 32 (call out of persons who have entered into special arrangements) — (a) after subsection (6) insert – "(6A) A notice under this section may also be served on a person by email by sending it to - (a) the last known email address used by that person as a means for communicating with them, or (b) if there is no such address, an email address by means of which there are reasonable grounds to believe that an email sent to that address will come to the attention of the person, and such a notice is, unless the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been received on the day following the day on which the email is sent."; (b) in subsection (7) after “subsection (6)” insert “or (6A)”. (3) In section 43 (call out of special members)- (a) after subsection (7) insert – "(7A) A notice under this section may also be served on a person by email by sending it to - (a) the last known email address used by that person as a means for communicating with them, or (b) if there is no such address, an email address by means of which there are reasonable grounds to believe that an email sent to that address will come to the attention of the person, and such a notice is, unless the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been received on the day following the day on which the email is sent."; (b) in subsection (8) after “subsection (7)” insert “or (7A)”. (4) In section 58 (call out of members of a reserve force on authority of call-out order) – (a) after subsection (7) insert – "(7A) A notice under this section may also be served on a person by email by sending it to – (a) the last known email address used by that person as a means for communicating with them, or (b) if there is no such address, an email address by means of which there are reasonable grounds to believe that an email sent to that address will come to the attention of the person, and such a notice is, unless the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been received on the day following the day on which the email is sent."; (b) in subsection (8) after “subsection (7)” insert “or (7A)”. (5) In section 70 (recall of persons on authority of recall order) – (a) after subsection (7) insert "(7A) A notice under this section may also be served on a person by email by sending it to (a) the last known email address used by that person as a means for communicating with them, or (b) if there is no such address, an email address by means of which there are reasonable grounds to believe that an email sent to that address will come to the attention of the person, and such a notice is, unless the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been received on the day following the day on which the email is sent."; (b) in subsection (8) after “subsection (7)” insert “or (7A)”.”

Schedule 5, page 129, line 28, leave out “fourth” and insert “third”

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Clause 38 stand part of the Bill.

Schedule 6, page 134, line 22, leave out paragraph 4

Schedule 6, page 137, line 17, at end insert – "(7) Each regional council in England and Wales (except Greater London) and Northern Ireland must make arrangements – (a) for constituting as president of the regional council the lord-lieutenant of one of the counties or parts of counties for which the regional council is established, and (b) for constituting as vice-presidents of the regional council the lord-lieutenants of those counties or parts of counties for which the regional council is established (if they are willing to act). (8) Each regional council in Scotland will make arrangements (a) in the case where a regional council area coincides with a local government area or where a local government area contains two or more regional council areas, for the selection of the president and vice-presidents of the regional council from the lord-lieutenants residing in the local government area, or (b) in the case where a regional council area falls within two or more local government areas, for the selection of the president and vice-presidents of the regional council from the lord-lieutenants residing in those local government areas. (9) A regional council established for an area including Greater London shall provide for constituting the lord-lieutenant of Greater London as president of the regional council."

Schedule 6, page 137, line 17, at end insert – "(7) A national council must be established whose members will be the chairs of the regional councils and such other members as the Defence Council shall appoint."

Schedule 6, page 141, line 32, leave out sub-paragraph (5)(b).

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Schedule 6 be the Sixth Schedule to the Bill.

After Clause 42, insert the following new Clause- "Visiting forces agreements (1) The Secretary of State must publish in unredacted form any part of a treaty, memorandum of understanding or agreement between the United Kingdom and any sending country relating to visiting forces containing a decision about a jurisdictional question, including in relation to the Visiting Forces Act 1952. (2) Alongside the material published under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must publish a document setting out the reasons behind any decision about a jurisdictional question contained in the relevant treaty, memorandum of understanding or agreement."

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause- "Impersonation of service police (1) Section 90 of the Police Act 1996 (impersonation, etc.) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1), after “force” insert “including service police”. (3) In subsection (2), after “force” insert “including service police”. (4) In subsection (3), after “force” insert “including service police”. (5) In subsection (4), at end insert- “(c) "service police” has the same meaning as in section 375 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (definitions relating to the service police and other police forces).'”””

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause – "Independent review of Armed Forces recruitment and retention (1) The Secretary of State must commission an independent review of the processes for recruitment and retention across His Majesty's forces. (2) The review under subsection (1) must, in particular, consider (a) the efficiency and consistency of recruitment processes across the Royal Navy, the regular army, the Royal Air Force and the reserve forces, (b) the effectiveness of steps being taken to improve diversity and inclusion within His Majesty's forces, (c) the impact of the quality of defence housing (including single living accommodation) on the retention of service personnel, and (d) the impact of the medical discharge process on retention and transition to civilian life. (3) A report of the review must be laid before each House of Parliament no later than 12 months after the day on which this Act is passed.”

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause- "Duty to provide medical records on discharge (1) This section applies where a person ceases to be a member of the regular forces or the reserve forces. (2) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for a complete copy of the person's service medical records to be provided to the person no later than one month after the day on which the person is discharged or otherwise ceases to be a member of those forces. (3) Those regulations may specify the manner and form in which service medical records are to be provided under this section, including provision for records to be transferred directly to a civilian health body with the person's consent. (4) In this section- "health body" has the same meaning as in section 343AZB; “service medical records” means any records relating to the person's physical or mental health care and treatment created or maintained by or on behalf of His Majesty's forces during the person's period of service.”

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause – “Personal independence payment reassessment exemption for amputees (1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must make regulations which make provision for persons who have experienced an amputation as a consequence of their membership in the armed forces to be exempt from personal independence payment reassessments except in instances in which such persons have requested a reassessment. (2) For the purposes of this section, “personal independence payment” has the meaning given by Part 4 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012.”

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause – "Reporting on the Defence Investment Plan (1) Every six months after the passage of this Act for the duration of this Parliament, and every year thereafter, the Secretary of State must publish a report on the implementation of the Defence Investment Plan. (2) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of each report under subsection (1) before each House of Parliament."

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause – "Report on the impact of Defence Investment Plan delays (1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish an impact assessment of the delays to the implementation of the Defence Investment Plan. (2) The report under subsection (1) must include an assessment of the impact of such delays on- (a) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the UK defence supply chain, (b) military procurement, equipment capability timelines, and operational readiness, and (c) the financial sustainability of defence sector businesses. (3) In preparing the report under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must consult – (a) representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises in the defence sector, and (b) the Defence Suppliers Forum. (4) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report under subsection (1) before each House of Parliament."

Clause 2, page 2, line 13, at end insert “and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary"

Clause 2, page 2, line 16, after “forces” insert “and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary"

Clause 2, page 2, line 19, at end insert “and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary"

Clause 2, page 2, line 21, after “forces” insert “and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary"

Clause 16, page 36, leave out lines 32 and 33

Clause 16, page 38, line 1, leave out from “charge)” to end of line 5 and insert “in subsection (1), for “commanding officer of” substitute “appropriate authority in relation to”

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause – "Impersonation of service police (1) Section 90 of the Police Act 1996 (impersonation, etc.) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1), after “force” insert “including service police”. (3) In subsection (2), after “force” insert “including service police”. (4) In subsection (3), after “force” insert “including service police”. (5) In subsection (4), at end insert- “(c) “service police” has the same meaning as in section 375 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (definitions relating to the service police and other police forces).”””

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause- "Protection of service police from assaults (1) Section 3 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 (meaning of “emergency worker”) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1), after paragraph (b) insert - “(ba) a service police officer;”. (3) In subsection (3), at end insert- ““service police” has the same meaning as in section 375 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (definitions relating to the service police and other police forces).”

Clause 2, page 2, line 13, after “forces” insert “and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary”

Clause 2, page 2, line 16, after “forces” insert “and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary”

Clause 2, page 2, line 19, at end insert “and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary”

Clause 2, page 2, line 21, after “forces” insert “and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary”

Clause 3, page 7, line 26, at end insert— "(e) improving the satisfaction of service personnel and their families with the accommodation provided."

Schedule 1, page 74, line 26, at end insert- "(4) The Chief Executive of the Defence Housing Service, once appointed, must report directly to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, regarding the performance of the Defence Housing Service.”

Clause 16, page 36, line 22, leave out paragraph (b)

Clause 16, page 36, line 28, leave out “serious” and insert “service”

Clause 16, page 36, line 31, leave out “for serious crime, and” and insert “who directs the investigating service police force”

Clause 16, page 37, line 3, leave out “serious” and insert “service”

Clause 16, page 37, leave out lines 14 and 15

Clause 16, page 37, leave out lines 21 to 33

Clause 21, page 40, line 13, at end insert- “(iii) a retired holder of such a rank."

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause- "Impersonation of service police (1) Section 90 (Impersonation, etc.) of the Police Act 1996 is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1), after “force” insert “including service police”. (3) In subsection (2), after “force” insert “including service police”. (4) In subsection (3), after “force” insert “including service police”. (5) Subsection (4), at end insert- "(ba) "service police” has the same meaning as in section 375 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (definitions relating to the service police and other police forces).'”””

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause- "Protection of service police from assaults (1) Section 3 (Meaning of “emergency worker”) of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 is amended as follows. (2) In subsection 1, after paragraph b, at end insert- "(ba) a service police officer;". (3) In subsection 3, at end insert- ““service police” has the same meaning as in section 375 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (definitions relating to the service police and other police forces).”

Clause 2, page 2, line 25, leave out “national authority” and insert “public authority”

Clause 2, page 3, line 23, leave out ““national authority”” and insert ““public authority””

Clause 2, page 3, line 25, leave out ““National authority”” and insert ““Public authority””

Clause 2, page 3, line 32, at end insert— “(e) a publicly owned company; (f) a non-departmental public body; (g) any other person certain of whose functions are functions of a public nature.”

Clause 2, page 5, line 41, at end insert— ““non-departmental public body” means a body corporate that is not regarded as a servant or agent of the Crown but which carries out functions of a public nature; “publicly owned company” means a company that is— (a) wholly owned by the Crown, (b) wholly owned by the wider public sector, or (c) wholly owned by the Crown and the wider public sector.”

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Clause 3 stand part of the Bill

Schedule 1, page 75, line 7, at end insert— “Oversight board 9A (1) The Defence Housing Service is to have an oversight board. (2) The oversight board must consist of— (a) the Chief Executive, (b) the Chair, and (c) 12 members of His Majesty’s Forces. (3) The members of His Majesty’s Forces who are to be members of the oversight board must— (a) currently live, or have recently lived, in service family accommodation, and (b) be selected in such a manner as specified in regulations made by the Defence Council. (4) The manner of selection that is prescribed in regulations under sub-paragraph (3)(b) must ensure that— (a) four members are currently serving in the army, (b) four members are currently serving in the Royal Navy, and (c) four members are currently serving in the Royal Air Force. (5) The function of the oversight board is to ensure that the views of service personnel living in service family accommodation are represented to the Defence Housing Service. (6) In this paragraph “service family accommodation” means accommodation primarily for use by members of His Majesty’s Forces and their families.”

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Schedule 1 be the First Schedule to the Bill.

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Clause 16 stand part of the Bill.

After Clause 27, insert the following new Clause— “Removal of presumption of suspended sentence orders (1) The Armed Forces Act 2006 is amended as follows. (2) In section 200 (suspended sentence orders), omit subsections (1)(aa) and (1)(ba). (3) Omit section 200ZB.”

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Clause 38 stand part of the Bill.

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Schedule 6 be the Sixth Schedule to the Bill.

Lord Dannatt gives notice of his intention to oppose the Question that Clause 48 stand part of the Bill.

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause— “Overseas operations and the European Convention on Human Rights (1) The Human Rights Act 1998 is amended as follows. (2) For section 7A (limitation: overseas forces proceedings) substitute— “7A No proceedings for overseas operations (1) No proceedings may be brought under section 7(1)(a) in respect of any overseas operations by His Majesty’s forces. (2) “Overseas operations” means any operations outside the British Islands, including peacekeeping operations and operations for dealing with terrorism, civil unrest or serious public disorder, in the course of which members of His Majesty's forces come under attack or face the threat of attack or violent resistance. (3) “His Majesty’s forces” has the same meaning as in the Armed Forces Act 2006 (see section 374 of that Act). (4) A member of the regular or reserve forces who has been deployed on an overseas operation under this Act may not be subject to the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights for the duration of that deployment.” (3) After section 14 (derogations), insert— “14A Overseas operations and the European Convention on Human Rights (1) Where the Secretary of State considers that any overseas operation is, or is likely to be, significant, the Secretary of State must authorise for the United Kingdom to make a derogation under Article 15(1) of the Convention. (2) In this section “overseas operations” has the same meaning as in section 7A.””

57

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Occupational paternity leave and pay
Within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must amend the Armed Forces Occupational Paternity Leave Scheme to—
(a) extend the paternity leave entitlement of service personnel to six weeks, and
(b) specify that the six weeks of paternity leave is fully paid.”

36

After Clause 27, insert the following new Clause—
“Sentencing
In section 160 of Armed Forces Act 2006 (decisions of Court Martial: finding and sentence), for subsections (1) and (4) substitute—
“(1) Any sentence passed by the Court Martial must be determined by the judge advocate alone, following consultation with the lay members.
(2) The lay members are not entitled to vote on the sentence.””

This amendment provides for sentencing, subject to consultation with the lay members, by the judge advocate alone.

53

After Clause 42, insert the following new Clause—
“Visiting forces agreements
The Secretary of State must publish in unredacted form any part of a treaty, memorandum of understanding or agreement between the United Kingdom and any sending country relating to visiting forces containing a decision about a jurisdictional question, including in relation to the Visiting Forces Act 1952.”

This amendment probes the nature of any agreements reached between the UK and a sending country in relation to jurisdiction over visiting forces.

Clause 2, page 6, line 40, after “16A)” insert—
“(a) in subsection (1), after paragraph (c) insert—
“(ca) members and former members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary who have undertaken military operational service;”
(b) after subsection (1), at end insert—
“(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1), “military operational service” means that a person has undertaken service on operations, or on other operational deployments, in direct support of His Majesty's armed forces.””

This amendment seeks to include Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel who have undertaken military operational service within the statutory provisions of the Armed Forces Covenant.

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause— “Occupational paternity leave and pay Within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must amend the Armed Forces Occupational Paternity Leave Scheme to— (a) extend the paternity leave entitlement of service personnel to six weeks, and (b) specify that the six weeks of paternity leave is fully paid.”

56

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause—
“Waived fees for indefinite leave to remain for spouses or children of serving or discharged members of the armed forces
(1) The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/330) are amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 (applications for leave to remain in the United Kingdom), in 9.18 of table 9 (fees for applications for limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom and connected applications)—
(a) after (b), insert—
“(c) in a case where the application is made by a person who is a spouse or child of a member or previously serving member of the armed forces who has served for four or more years”
(b) in the closing words, leave out “and (b)” and insert “, (b), and (c)”.”

This new clause would amend the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 to waive the fee for indefinite leave to remain applications for the spouses or children of any current or previously serving members of the armed forces who have served for four or more years.

Clause 2, page 6, line 40, after “16A)” insert— “(a) in subsection (1), after paragraph (c) insert— “(ca) members and former members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary who have undertaken military operational service;” (b) after subsection (1), at end insert— “(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1), “military operational service” means that a person has undertaken service on operations, or on other operational deployments, in direct support of His Majesty's armed forces.””

21

Schedule 3, page 98, line 40, at end insert—
“Part 1A
Service Stalking Protection Notices
1A In Part 3 of AFA 2006 (power of arrest, search and entry), after Chapter 1A (inserted by paragraph 1) insert—
“Chapter 1B
Service Stalking Protection Notices
74E Power to give a service stalking protection notice
(1) An authorised service police officer may give a service stalking protection notice to a person falling within subsection (2) (“P”) if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that—
(a) P has carried out acts associated with stalking against another person, and
(b) it is necessary to give the notice to protect that other person from stalking, or the risk of stalking, carried out by P.
(2) A person is within this subsection if the person is aged 18 or over and is—
(a) subject to service law, or
(b) a civilian subject to service discipline.
(3) A “service stalking protection notice” is a notice prohibiting P from carrying out acts associated with stalking against the person for whose protection the notice is given.
(4) A service stalking protection notice may provide that P—
(a) may not contact the person for whose protection the notice is given;
(b) may not come within a distance specified in the notice of any premises in which that person lives or any other specified premises.
(5) If P lives in premises in which the person for whose protection the notice is given also lives, the notice may also contain provision—
(a) prohibiting P from evicting or excluding that person from the premises;
(b) prohibiting P from entering the premises;
(c) requiring P to leave the premises.
(6) It does not matter where the acts associated with stalking referred to in subsection (1)(a) took place.
(7) In this Chapter—
“acts” includes omissions;
“authorised” , in relation to a service police officer, means of or above the rank of naval lieutenant, military or marine captain or flight lieutenant;
“service police officer” means a member of a service police force.
74F Matters to be considered before giving a notice
(1) Before giving a service stalking protection notice to a person (“P”), an authorised service police officer must, among other things, consider the following—
(a) the welfare of any person under the age of 18 whose interests the officer considers relevant to the giving of the notice;
(b) the opinion of the person for whose protection the notice would be given as to the giving of the notice;
(c) any representations made by P about the giving of the notice;
(d) in a case where the notice includes provision relating to premises lived in by the person for whose protection the notice would be given, the opinion of any relevant occupant as to the giving of the notice.
(2) In subsection (1)(d) “relevant occupant” means a person other than P or the person for whose protection the notice would be given—
(a) who lives in the premises, and
(b) who is personally connected to the person for whose protection the notice would be given or, if P also lives in the premises, P.
(3) The authorised service police officer must take reasonable steps to discover the opinions mentioned in subsection (1)(b) and (d).
(4) It is not necessary for the person for whose protection a service stalking protection notice is given to consent to the giving of the notice.
74G Further requirements in relation to notices
(1) A service stalking protection notice must be in writing.
(2) A service stalking protection notice given to a person must state—
(a) the grounds on which it has been given,
(b) that if the person is reasonably suspected of being in breach of the notice, they may be arrested in accordance with section 67(2), (3), (4) or (5) by a person subject to service law,
(c) that an application for a service stalking protection order under section 236M will be heard within 48 hours of the time of giving the notice and that a notice of the hearing will be given to the person,
(d) that the notice continues in effect until that application has been determined or withdrawn, and
(e) the provision that may be included in a service stalking protection order.
(3) The notice must be served on the person personally by a service police officer.
(4) On serving the notice on the person, the service police officer must ask the person for an address at which the person may be given the notice of the hearing of the application for the service stalking protection order.
(5) After serving the notice on the person, the service police officer must make reasonable efforts to inform the person’s commanding officer of the giving of the notice.
74H Breach of notice
(1) A person who is reasonably suspected of being in breach of a service stalking protection notice may be arrested in accordance with section 67(2), (3), (4) or (5) by a person subject to service law.
(2) Section 67(6) applies in relation to the power of arrest conferred by subsection (1) as it applies in relation to the power of arrest conferred by section 67.
(3) A person arrested by virtue of subsection (1) must be kept in service custody and brought before the Court Martial or the Service Civilian Court—
(a) before the end of the period of 24 hours beginning with the time of the arrest, or
(b) if earlier, at the hearing of the application for a service stalking protection order against the person.
(4) In calculating when the period of 24 hours mentioned in subsection (3)(a) ends, the following days are to be disregarded—
(a) any Sunday,
(b) Christmas Day,
(c) Good Friday, and
(d) any day which is a bank holiday in England and Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.
(5) If the person is brought before the court as mentioned in subsection (3)(a), the court may—
(a) give orders for the further detention of the person in service custody, or
(b) direct that the person is released from service custody.
(6) The court may, when directing a person’s release from service custody under subsection (5)(b), require the person to comply, before release or later, with any requirements that appear to the court to be necessary to secure that the person does not interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice.
(7) Where a person is given a service stalking protection notice under section 74E, a Provost Marshal must apply for a service stalking protection order in respect of the person.
(8) The application must be heard by the court not later than 48 hours after the notice was given to the person, and subsections (3) to (7) of section 236D apply to the application as they apply to an application for a service domestic abuse protection order.””

This amendment creates a Service Stalking Protection Notice (SSPN) by mirroring the existing framework for Service Domestic Abuse Protection Notices, giving service police an equivalent power to provide immediate protection pending the determination or withdrawal of an application for a Service Stalking Protection Order.

22

Schedule 3, page 113, line 12, at end insert—
“236TA Provision for specialist stalking training
(1) The Secretary of State must ensure that specialist stalking training is provided to service police, and other personnel exercising functions under this Chapter.
(2) The training must include provision on—
(a) identifying stalking,
(b) patterns of escalation and stalking-related risk, and
(c) the application for, implementation and enforcement of Service Stalking Protection Orders.
(3) The training must be developed and delivered in collaboration with independent organisations with specialist expertise in stalking.
(4) The Secretary of State must ensure that such training is in place before this chapter comes into force and is subject to regular review.”

This amendment requires specialist stalking training to be in place before the Service Stalking Protection Order regime comes into force to support the effective implementation of the new measures.

23

Schedule 3, page 113, line 12, at end insert—
“236TA Continuity of protection
(1) The Secretary of State must make provision to ensure the continuity of protection afforded by a Service Stalking Protection Order where a person becomes, or ceases to be, subject to service law.
(2) Provision made under subsection (1) must include—
(a) cooperation between service police, civilian police and relevant safeguarding authorities;
(b) the sharing of relevant information necessary for the effective operation and enforcement of Service Stalking Protection Orders;
(c) continuity of protection where responsibility for the enforcement of a Service Stalking Protection Order passes between service police and civilian police, including where individuals move between military and civilian jurisdictions;
(d) recognition of civilian Stalking Protection Orders within military safeguarding and risk management processes.
(3) The Secretary of State must publish and keep under review provisions made under this section.”

This amendment requires the Secretary of State to ensure continuity of protection where responsibility for a stalking case passes between military and civilian jurisdictions, reducing the risk of gaps in protection when individuals move between service and civilian systems.

After Clause 50, insert the following new Clause— “Waived fees for indefinite leave to remain for spouses or children of serving or discharged members of the armed forces (1) The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/330) are amended as follows. (2) In paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 (applications for leave to remain in the United Kingdom), in 9.18 of table 9 (fees for applications for limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom and connected applications)— (a) after (b), insert— “(c) in a case where the application is made by a person who is a spouse or child of a member or previously serving member of the armed forces who has served for four or more years” (b) in the closing words, leave out “and (b)” and insert “, (b), and (c)”.”

Schedule 3, page 98, line 40, at end insert— “PART 1A SERVICE STALKING PROTECTION NOTICES 1A In Part 3 of AFA 2006 (power of arrest, search and entry), after Chapter 1A (inserted by paragraph 1) insert— “CHAPTER 1B SERVICE STALKING PROTECTION NOTICES 74E Power to give a service stalking protection notice (1) An authorised service police officer may give a service stalking protection notice to a person falling within subsection (2) (“P”) if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that— (a) P has carried out acts associated with stalking against another person, and (b) it is necessary to give the notice to protect that other person from stalking, or the risk of stalking, carried out by P. (2) A person is within this subsection if the person is aged 18 or over and is— (a) subject to service law, or (b) a civilian subject to service discipline. (3) A “service stalking protection notice” is a notice prohibiting P from carrying out acts associated with stalking against the person for whose protection the notice is given. (4) A service stalking protection notice may provide that P— (a) may not contact the person for whose protection the notice is given; (b) may not come within a distance specified in the notice of any premises in which that person lives or any other specified premises. (5) If P lives in premises in which the person for whose protection the notice is given also lives, the notice may also contain provision— (a) prohibiting P from evicting or excluding that person from the premises; (b) prohibiting P from entering the premises; (c) requiring P to leave the premises. (6) It does not matter where the acts associated with stalking referred to in subsection (1)(a) took place. (7) In this Chapter— “acts” includes omissions; “authorised”, in relation to a service police officer, means of or above the rank of naval lieutenant, military or marine captain or flight lieutenant; “service police officer” means a member of a service police force. 74F Matters to be considered before giving a notice (1) Before giving a service stalking protection notice to a person (“P”), an authorised service police officer must, among other things, consider the following— (a) the welfare of any person under the age of 18 whose interests the officer considers relevant to the giving of the notice; (b) the opinion of the person for whose protection the notice would be given as to the giving of the notice; (c) any representations made by P about the giving of the notice; (d) in a case where the notice includes provision relating to premises lived in by the person for whose protection the notice would be given, the opinion of any relevant occupant as to the giving of the notice. (2) In subsection (1)(d) “relevant occupant” means a person other than P or the person for whose protection the notice would be given— (a) who lives in the premises, and (b) who is personally connected to the person for whose protection the notice would be given or, if P also lives in the premises, P. (3) The authorised service police officer must take reasonable steps to discover the opinions mentioned in subsection (1)(b) and (d). (4) It is not necessary for the person for whose protection a service stalking protection notice is given to consent to the giving of the notice. 74G Further requirements in relation to notices (1) A service stalking protection notice must be in writing. (2) A service stalking protection notice given to a person must state— (a) the grounds on which it has been given, (b) that if the person is reasonably suspected of being in breach of the notice, they may be arrested in accordance with section 67(2), (3), (4) or (5) by a person subject to service law, (c) that an application for a service stalking protection order under section 236M will be heard within 48 hours of the time of giving the notice and that a notice of the hearing will be given to the person, (d) that the notice continues in effect until that application has been determined or withdrawn, and (e) the provision that may be included in a service stalking protection order. (3) The notice must be served on the person personally by a service police officer. (4) On serving the notice on the person, the service police officer must ask the person for an address at which the person may be given the notice of the hearing of the application for the service stalking protection order. (5) After serving the notice on the person, the service police officer must make reasonable efforts to inform the person’s commanding officer of the giving of the notice. 74H Breach of notice (1) A person who is reasonably suspected of being in breach of a service stalking protection notice may be arrested in accordance with section 67(2), (3), (4) or (5) by a person subject to service law. (2) Section 67(6) applies in relation to the power of arrest conferred by subsection (1) as it applies in relation to the power of arrest conferred by section 67. (3) A person arrested by virtue of subsection (1) must be kept in service custody and brought before the Court Martial or the Service Civilian Court— (a) before the end of the period of 24 hours beginning with the time of the arrest, or (b) if earlier, at the hearing of the application for a service stalking protection order against the person. (4) In calculating when the period of 24 hours mentioned in subsection (3)(a) ends, the following days are to be disregarded— (a) any Sunday, (b) Christmas Day, (c) Good Friday, and (d) any day which is a bank holiday in England and Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. (5) If the person is brought before the court as mentioned in subsection (3)(a), the court may— (a) give orders for the further detention of the person in service custody, or (b) direct that the person is released from service custody. (6) The court may, when directing a person’s release from service custody under subsection (5)(b), require the person to comply, before release or later, with any requirements that appear to the court to be necessary to secure that the person does not interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice. (7) Where a person is given a service stalking protection notice under section 74E, a Provost Marshal must apply for a service stalking protection order in respect of the person. (8) The application must be heard by the court not later than 48 hours after the notice was given to the person, and subsections (3) to (7) of section 236D apply to the application as they apply to an application for a service domestic abuse protection order.””

Schedule 3, page 113, line 12, at end insert— “236TA Provision for specialist stalking training (1) The Secretary of State must ensure that specialist stalking training is provided to service police, and other personnel exercising functions under this Chapter. (2) The training must include provision on— (a) identifying stalking, (b) patterns of escalation and stalking-related risk, and (c) the application for, implementation and enforcement of Service Stalking Protection Orders. (3) The training must be developed and delivered in collaboration with independent organisations with specialist expertise in stalking. (4) The Secretary of State must ensure that such training is in place before this chapter comes into force and is subject to regular review.”

Schedule 3, page 113, line 12, at end insert— “236TA Continuity of protection (1) The Secretary of State must make provision to ensure the continuity of protection afforded by a Service Stalking Protection Order where a person becomes, or ceases to be, subject to service law. (2) Provision made under subsection (1) must include— (a) cooperation between service police, civilian police and relevant safeguarding authorities; (b) the sharing of relevant information necessary for the effective operation and enforcement of Service Stalking Protection Orders; (c) continuity of protection where responsibility for the enforcement of a Service Stalking Protection Order passes between service police and civilian police, including where individuals move between military and civilian jurisdictions; (d) recognition of civilian Stalking Protection Orders within military safeguarding and risk management processes. (3) The Secretary of State must publish and keep under review provisions made under this section.”

NC6

To move the following Clause— “Review into reservist facilities (1) Within six months of the passage of this Act the Secretary of State must conduct and publish a review into reservist facilities in rural areas. (2) The review under subsection (1) must consider the quality, accessibility, and refurbishment of reservist facilities. (3) The review under subsection (1) must be laid before both Houses of Parliament.”

NC4

To move the following Clause—
“Waived fees for indefinite leave to remain for spouses or children of serving or discharged members of the armed forces who have served for four or more years
(1) The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 is amended as follows.
(2) In Table 9 (fees for applications for limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom and connected applications) in 9.18 after “Forces” in paragraph (b) insert—
“(c) in a case where the application is made by a person who is a spouse or child of a member or previously serving member of the armed forces who have served for four or more years.
(3) In Table 9 (fees for applications for limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom and connected applications) in 9.18 in paragraph (b) leave out “(a) and (b)” and insert “(a), (b), and (c)”.”

This new clause would amend the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 to waive the fee for indefinite leave to remain applications for the spouses or children of any current or previously serving members of the armed forces who have served for four or more years.

NC5

To move the following Clause—
“Review of mental health support for veterans
(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the passage of this Act, conduct a review of the adequacy, accessibility and effectiveness of mental health support available to veterans of the armed forces.
(2) A review under subsection (1) must assess the extent to which mental health support available to veterans meets their needs, including specific information about availability of such support based on—
(a) age,
(b) sex,
(c) service branch,
(d) rank,
(e) length of service,
(f) time elapsed since leaving service,
(g) operational deployment history,
(h) conflict or operation in which the veteran served,
(i) geographical location within the United Kingdom,
(j) whether the veteran resides in a rural or urban area, and
(k) any other characteristic the Secretary of State considers relevant.
(3) A review under subsection (1) must examine—
(a) levels of provision of specialist and non-specialist mental health services for veterans;
(b) waiting times for assessment and treatment;
(c) access to NHS and charity-provided mental health services;
(d) barriers to accessing support, including those arising from geographical isolation, transport availability, digital exclusion and workforce shortages;
(e) rates of referral, treatment completion and clinical outcomes;
(f) rates of suicide, self-harm, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions among veterans;
(g) differences in outcomes between veterans who served in different conflicts or operations;
(h) the effectiveness of arrangements for identifying and supporting veterans most at risk of mental ill health;
(i) reliance on charity support.
(4) In conducting a review under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) veterans’ organisations,
(b) service charities,
(c) NHS bodies,
(d) devolved administrations,
(e) local authorities, and
(f) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(5) Upon completion of a review under subsection (1) the Secretary of State must lay a report before both Houses of Parliament indicating the findings of the review.
(6) A report under subsection (6) must include recommendations for improving mental health support for veterans, particularly those groups identified as being at elevated risk of poor mental health outcomes based on the review on which it is based.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to review the adequacy and effectiveness of mental health support available to veterans.

2

Schedule 6, page 141, line 16, at end insert—
“Military Lands Act 1892
3A (1)The Military Lands Act 1892 is amended as follows.
(2)In section 14 (powers of Secretary of State to make byelaws as to use of land held for military purposes and securing safety of public)—
(a)in subsection (1), for “a volunteer corps” substitute “the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association”;
(b)in subsection (3)—
(i)for “a volunteer corps” substitute “the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association”;
(ii)for “that corps or in any person as trustee for that corps” substitute “the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association”.
(3)In section 15 (application of byelaws where right of firing acquired)—
(a)for “a volunteer corps” substitute “the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association”;
(b)for “or volunteer corps” substitute “or the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association”.”

This amendment makes consequential amendments to the Military Lands Act 1892 as a result of the establishment of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association by clause 38 of the Bill.

NC1

To move the following Clause— “Visiting forces: ICC arrest warrants and war crimes (1) The Secretary of State must not issue an authorisation permitting members of a visiting force to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act 1952 where— (a) the sending country is subject to a binding ICC arrest warrant or a decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court specifying individual commanders or units of its armed forces, or (b) the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe that members of the visiting force have participated in, ordered, or failed to prevent conduct that constitutes a war crime within the meaning of Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. (2) Where a visiting force is already present in the United Kingdom and subsection (1)(a) or (1)(b) is subsequently satisfied, the Secretary of State must— (a) within 14 days, notify Parliament by way of a written ministerial statement, and (b) within 28 days, revoke any subsisting authorisation for the continuation of that visiting force in the United Kingdom, unless the Secretary of State lays before Parliament a statement of exceptional circumstances justifying continuation.

NC2

To move the following Clause— "Dual nationals serving in foreign armed forces: war crimes risk (1) This section applies to a person ('the individual') who is— (a) a British national or a person ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, and (b) a member of the armed forces of a foreign state. (2) Where the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual has participated in, ordered, or failed to prevent conduct that constitutes a war crime within the meaning of Article 8 of the Rome Statute, the Secretary of State may— (a) refer the matter to the Attorney General for consideration of proceedings under the International Criminal Court Act 2001, (b) direct that the individual's British travel document be suspended pending investigation, subject to section 41C, and (c) notify the International Criminal Court of the individual's British nationality and last known address in the United Kingdom. (3) A suspension of a travel document under section 41B(2)(b) must not exceed 90 days without renewal. (4) The individual to whom section 41B applies must be— (a) informed as soon as reasonably practicable of the grounds for any action taken under section 41B(2), and (b) afforded a right of appeal to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. (5) The Secretary of State must issue statutory guidance to the armed forces, relevant intelligence agencies, and border authorities on— (a) identification of British nationals serving in foreign armed forces, (b) information-sharing arrangements with the International Criminal Court and relevant foreign jurisdictions, and (c) the circumstances in which action under subsection (2) is appropriate. (6) For the purposes of this section— "British national” has the meaning given by section 50(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981; "Rome Statute" means the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, opened for signature 17 July 1998 (2187 UNTS 90). (7) Nothing in section 41B or this section limits the protections afforded to an individual under the Human Rights Act 1998."

NC3

To move the following Clause— "Veterans: housing and employment data duty (1) The Secretary of State must, in each calendar year, collect and compile data on the following matters in respect of persons who have served as members of the regular forces ('veterans')— (a) the number of veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness within the meaning of Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and Part 2 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014; (b) the number of veterans who are unemployed and claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance, disaggregated by— (i) length of unemployment; (ii) age and gender; and (iii) service branch and rank on discharge; (c) the number of veterans in contact with local authority housing or homelessness services; (d) the number of veterans placed in temporary accommodation by a local authority; (e) the number of veterans who have presented themselves as having suicidal ideation and those who have committed suicide; (f) trends in the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) over the preceding five years. (2) For the purposes of collecting data under subsection (1), the Secretary of State— (a) must request and receive data from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, local authorities, and such other persons or bodies as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, (b) may require local authorities in England to provide data as to veterans within their area who have approached them for housing assistance, and (c) must consult Veterans UK and any other bodies the Secretary of State considers appropriate in designing the data collection methodology. (3) The Secretary of State must, not later than 31 March in each year, lay before Parliament a report setting out— (a) the data compiled under subsection (1) for the preceding calendar year; (b) a comparison with data from the two preceding calendar years; (c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Secretary of State, or by public authorities subject to the duty in section 343AZA of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (as amended by section 2 of this Act), to reduce rates of homelessness and unemployment among veterans; and (d) an assessment of whether those steps have been effective. (4) The report under subsection (3) must include, in respect of veterans who have left the regular forces within the preceding three years— (a) the proportion who entered employment within three months of discharge; (b) the proportion who were provided resettlement support under a scheme administered by the Ministry of Defence; and (c) the proportion who were provided with suitable accommodation within one month of discharge. (5) The Secretary of State must make arrangements for a person independent of the Ministry of Defence to review, and report to Parliament on, the methodology and reliability of data collected under this section at least once every three years. (6) In this section— "homeless or at risk of homelessness" is to be construed in accordance with sections 175 to 177 of the Housing Act 1996; "regular forces” has the same meaning as in the Armed Forces Act 2006 (see section 374 of that Act); "veteran” means a person who has served as a member of the regular forces for a period of not less than one day and who is no longer serving as such a member."

1

Clause 2, page 4, line 15, at end insert “and to the district and borough councils of Northern Ireland."

88

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC Communication regarding armed forces pensions (1) The Secretary of State must undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of communication with former service personnel about their armed forces pension. (2) An assessment under subsection (1) is not limited to but must include- (a) a review of the number of armed forces pensions which have been unclaimed, (b) the impact of the current armed forces pensions system on former service personnel, and (c) an assessment of the effectiveness of introducing an annual letter distribution service to inform former personnel of their pension entitlements. (3) For the purposes of this section, “former service personnel” means a person who has completed their services in the armed forces. (4) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must lay a copy of the assessment under subsection (1) before each House of Parliament."

89

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC Transfer of medical assessments (1) The Secretary of State must review current practice for the transfer of medical records and services for armed forces personnel upon their transfer to the reserve forces. (2) A review under subsection (1) is not limited to but must include an assessment of- (a) the time and costs associated with current practice, (b) the costs and benefits of introducing a case-by-case approach for determining whether a reassessment of armed forces personnel's medical records and services is required upon their transfer to the reserve forces. (3) Within one year of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must lay a copy of the assessment under subsection (1) before each House of Parliament."

90

Clause 12, page 29, line 6, at end insert- "115C Duty to refer sexual offences and domestic abuse to civilian police (1) This section applies where a service police force or the tri-service serious crime unit is made aware of an allegation that a person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, has committed a relevant offence in the United Kingdom. (2) The Provost Marshal of the relevant service police force, or the Provost Marshal for serious crime, must immediately refer the allegation and transfer the investigation to the relevant civilian police force. (3) In this section— "relevant civilian police force” means the civilian police force for the area in which the alleged offence took place; "relevant offence" means- (a) any offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, (b) an offence involving domestic abuse within the meaning of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, or (c) an offence of attempting or conspiring to commit an offence within sub-paragraph (a) or (b). (4) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify further offences which are to be treated as a relevant offence for the purposes of this section."

NC6

To move the following Clause- "Overseas operations and the European Convention on Human Rights After section 14 of the Human Rights Act 1998 insert "14A Duty to consider derogation in relation to overseas operations (1) Where the Secretary of State considers that any overseas operation is, or is likely to be, significant, the Secretary of State must consider whether it is appropriate for the United Kingdom to make a derogation under Article 15(1) of the Convention. (2) In this section— "overseas operations” means operations of Her Majesty's forces outside the British Islands in the course of which members of those forces may come under attack or face the threat of attack or violent resistance; "Her Majesty's forces” has the same meaning as in the Armed Forces Act 2006 (see section 374 of that Act).""

NC7

To move the following Clause- "Assessment of the reserve forces estate (1) Six months after the passage of this Act and every three years thereafter, the Secretary of State must publish an assessment of the conditions of the reserve forces estate. (2) An assessment under subsection (1) is not limited to but must include an assessment of- (a) catering provisions, (b) personal hygiene provisions, and (c) support for existing and new reserve forces. (3) The Secretary of State must consult the RCFA in conducting an assessment under subsection (1). (4) Under subsection (1) “reserve forces estate” refers to all properties managed by the RFCA. (5) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of each assessment under subsection (1) before each House of Parliament."

NC8

To move the following Clause- "Review of Schedules 1 and 2 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (1) Within 12 months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must review offences included under Schedules 1 and 2 of the Armed Forces Act 2006. (2) A review under subsection (1) must consider whether any offences pertaining to domestic abuse which have been classified under Schedule 1 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 may be instead classified as an offence under Schedule 2 of that Act. (3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the review under subsection (1) before each House of Parliament."

NC9

To move the following Clause- "An armed forces retention strategy (1) This section applies where the Secretary of State lays before Parliament the Ministry of Defence Votes A paper seeking Parliamentary authority for the maximum numbers of personnel to be maintained for service with the armed forces in the following financial year. (2) The Secretary of State must lay alongside the Votes A paper an armed forces retention strategy. (3) The retention strategy must include— (a) an assessment of the current rates of retention across the regular and reserve forces, (b) an explanation of the steps the Ministry of Defence is taking to improve retention to meet the maximum numbers of personnel set out in the Votes A paper, and (c) an assessment of the findings of the most recent Armed Forces Continuous Attitudes Survey and its findings regarding satisfaction with service life."

NC10

To move the following Clause- "Independent review of Armed Forces recruitment and retention (1) The Secretary of State must commission an independent review of the processes for recruitment and retention across His Majesty's forces. (2) The review under subsection (1) must, in particular, consider- (a) the efficiency and consistency of recruitment processes across the Royal Navy, the regular army, the Royal Air Force and the reserve forces, (b) the effectiveness of steps being taken to improve diversity and inclusion within His Majesty's forces, (c) the impact of the quality of defence housing (including single living accommodation) on the retention of service personnel, and

NC11

To move the following Clause- "Duty to provide medical records on discharge (1) This section applies where a person ceases to be a member of the regular forces or the reserve forces. (2) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for a complete copy of the person's service medical records is provided to the person no later than one month after the day on which the person is discharged or otherwise ceases to be a member of those forces. (3) Those regulations may specify the manner and form in which service medical records are to be provided under this section, including provision for records to be transferred directly to a civilian health body with the person's consent. (4) In this section— "health body" has the same meaning as in section 343AZB; "service medical records” means any records relating to the person's physical or mental health care and treatment created or maintained by or on behalf of His Majesty's forces during the person's period of service."

NC12

To move the following Clause- "Veterans' Mental Health Oversight Officer (1) The Armed Forces Act 2006 is amended as follows. (2) After section 343C (Establishment and functions of veterans advisory and pensions committees) insert— "343CA Establishment and functions of a Veterans' Mental Health Oversight Officer (1) The Secretary of State must appoint a person to be the Veterans' Mental Health Oversight Officer. (2) The general function of the Officer is to oversee the mental health care and treatment provided to veterans by the health bodies specified in section 343AZB. (3) In exercising their function, the Officer must, in particular, monitor and assess the extent to which health bodies are complying with the duty imposed by section 343AZA (Duty to have due regard to the covenant) in relation to the mental health and well-being of veterans. (4) The Officer may require a health body to provide such information as the Officer considers reasonably necessary to discharge their functions under this section. (5) The Officer must prepare an annual report on the exercise of their functions and the general state of veterans' mental health care and treatment in the United Kingdom. (6) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the Officer's annual report before each House of Parliament. (7) In this section, “veteran” means a person who has at any time been a service member.""

NC13

To move the following Clause- "Single living accommodation standards (1) The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is amended as follows. (2) In section 101 (The standard of MOD accommodation), after "service family accommodation”, in each place it occurs, insert "and single living accommodation". (3) In subsection (10), at the appropriate place insert— ""single living accommodation” means any building or part of a building which is provided for the use of a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline as living accommodation, but which is not service family accommodation;”."

NC14

To move the following Clause- "National Standards, Funding and Monitoring of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (1) The Armed Forces Act 2006 is amended as follows. (2) After Section 343AE (Sections 343AA to 343AD: guidance) insert- "343AEA Armed Forces Covenant Duty National Standards (1) The Secretary of State must issue statutory guidance establishing clear and consistent national standards for the discharge of the duties imposed under section 343AA to 343AD ("the Covenant Duty"). (2) The national standards must- (a) set minimum requirements for compliance by relevant public bodies, (b) promote consistency in the quality and accessibility of services provided to members of the armed forces community across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and (c) require relevant public bodies to demonstrate due regard in a manner capable of objective assessment. (3) Relevant public bodies must have due regard to the standards issued under this section. 343AEB Funding and Support for Delivery (1) The Secretary of State must ensure that sufficient funding is made available to support the effective implementation of the Covenant Duty. (2) The Secretary of State must establish and maintain a dedicated Covenant Duty Training Programme, which shall- (a) provide accessible training and guidance to relevant public bodies, (b) promote awareness and understanding of the purpose and scope of the Covenant Duty among staff and decision-makers, (c) support the sharing of best practice between relevant public bodies, and (d) include provision for capacity-building where required.

NC15

To move the following Clause- "Armed Forces Covenant report: required content (1) The Armed Forces Act 2006 is amended as follows. (2) In section 343A (Armed forces covenant report), after subsection (5) insert- "(5A) An armed forces covenant report must— (a) include an assessment of compliance with armed forces covenant duty national standards under section 343AEA, (b) include analysis of outcomes for the armed forces community, and (c) include recommendations for improvement.""

8

Clause 2, page 3, line 35, after "borough council,” insert- "(iv) the Greater London Authority,"

9

Clause 2, page 3, line 36, at end insert— "(vii) a combined authority established under section 103 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, or (viii) a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.”

10

Clause 3, page 10, line 9, leave out “or Wales” and insert ", Wales or Scotland"

11

Clause 3, page 10, line 10, at end insert- "(1A) Where the Defence Housing Service proposes to acquire land in Northern Ireland otherwise than by agreement- (a) it may apply to the Secretary of State for an order vesting the land in the Defence Housing Service, and (b) on an application under paragraph (a), the Secretary of State may make such an order. (1B) References in this section to the acquisition of land or rights over land include the vesting of the land or rights under an order made under subsection (1A).”

12

Clause 3, page 10, line 11, leave out "power under subsection (1)” and insert "powers under subsections (1) and (1A)"

13

Clause 3, page 10, line 14, leave out “power under subsection (1) includes” and insert "powers under subsections (1) and (1A) include"

14

Clause 3, page 10, line 18, after "subsection (1)" insert "or (1A)”

15

Clause 3, page 10, line 22, leave out "power under subsection (1) includes” and insert "powers under subsections (1) and (1A) include"

16

Clause 3, page 10, line 26, at end insert "in England, Wales or Scotland"

17

Clause 3, page 10, line 30, after “space or” insert “(in relation to England or Wales)”

18

Clause 3, page 10, line 34, leave out “Part 4 of Schedule 11A makes"

19

Clause 3, page 10, line 36, at end insert "is made by— (a) Part 4 of Schedule 11A, in relation to England and Wales; (b) Part 5 of that Schedule, in relation to Scotland; (c) Part 6 of that Schedule, in relation to Northern Ireland."

20

Clause 3, page 11, line 1, leave out lines 1 to 7 and insert— ""common” and “open space”— (a) in relation to England or Wales, have the same meanings as in section 19 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981; (b) in relation to Scotland, have the same meanings as in the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (see section 277(1) of that Act); "Crown land"- (a) in relation to England or Wales, has the same meaning as in Part 13 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (see section 293 of that Act); (b) in relation to Scotland, is to be construed in accordance with Part 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997; (c) in relation to Northern Ireland, has the same meaning as in Part 12 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/1220 (N.I. 11)); "fuel or field garden allotment” has the same meaning as in section 19 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981; "land", in relation to Northern Ireland, has the meaning given by section 45(1)(a) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33 (N.I.)); "statutory undertaker”— (a) in relation to England or Wales, has the same meaning as in section 16 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981; (b) in relation to Scotland, has the same meaning as in the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (see section 214 of that Act); (c) in relation to Northern Ireland, has the same meaning as in the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c.11 (N.I.)).”

21

Clause 3, page 11, line 9, leave out “or Wales” and insert ", Wales or Scotland"

22

Clause 3, page 11, line 11, leave out “, within the meaning given by section 343E(8)”

23

Clause 3, page 11, line 12, leave out "Part 4" and insert "Parts 4 and 5"

24

Clause 3, page 11, line 16, at end insert- "(3) If the Secretary of State— (a) requires land in Northern Ireland for defence purposes, and (b) proposes to acquire the land otherwise than by agreement, the Secretary of State may make an order vesting the land in the Secretary of State. (4) Subsections (3) to (10) of section 343H apply in relation to (or to matters connected with) the compulsory acquisition of land by the Secretary of State by means of an order under subsection (3) as they apply in relation to (or to matters connected with) the compulsory acquisition of land by the Defence Housing Service. (5) Part 7 of Schedule 11A makes further provision in relation to the compulsory acquisition of land by the Secretary of State by means of an order under subsection (3). (6) In this section “defence purposes” has the meaning given by section 343E(8).”

25

Clause 4, page 17, line 21, leave out from "under" to end of line 25 and insert "section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals);"

26

Clause 7, page 19, line 1, at end insert— "(A1) In section 229(1) of AFA 2006, omit paragraph (b) and the “and” before it.”

27

Clause 7, page 19, leave out line 17

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert- "343AZC Continuity of plans for special educational needs (1) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must make regulations to make provision for a plan for special educational needs awarded to a person who— (a) is a child of or dependent upon a person serving in the Armed Forces, and (b) becomes ordinarily resident in another part of the United Kingdom when posted. (2) The regulations made under subsection (1) must ensure that, if a person is required to move from one base to another as part of their service in the armed forces, any plan awarded to their child or dependent under subsection (1) must be automatically transferred to the relevant authority. (3) A person to whom subsection (2) applies shall have reasonable time to negotiate a named school for their plan under subsection (1) with the relevant authorities. (4) Under this section, “a plan" means— (a) in England, an Education and Health Care Plan; (b) in Wales, an Individual Development Plan; (c) in Scotland, a Co-ordinated Support Plan; (d) in Northern Ireland, a Statement of Special Educational Needs."

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC Continuity of adoption and fostering arrangements (1) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the continuity of adoption and fostering arrangements for a person who— (a) is a serving member of the Armed Forces, (b) has entered into negotiations about potentially adopting or fostering children, and (c) is required to move base as part of their military service. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) must ensure that if a service family is required to move from one base to another, for operational or other reasons, any adoption or fostering arrangements they have made with their existing local authority should be appropriately transferred to the appropriate new local authority. (3) For the purposes of this section, “appropriately transferred” means any adoption or fostering arrangements shall not be disrupted as a result of the transfer from one local authority to another. (4) Regulations under subsection (1) must make provision for minimum residency requirements for adoption or fostering in a local authority to be waived for any service family which is required to move from one local authority jurisdiction to another, for operational or other reasons. (5) Service families to which this section applies shall have an opportunity to renegotiate potential adoption or fostering arrangements with the new local authority, including prior to transfer to their new posting."

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC Continuity of NHS secondary care services (1) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the continuity of secondary care treatment for a person who— (a) is a dependent of a member of the regular or reserve forces who is receiving secondary care services from a health body in one part of the United Kingdom, and (b) becomes ordinarily resident in another part of the United Kingdom when the member of the armed forces to whom that person is dependent is posted. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) must make provision for relevant health bodies to take reasonable steps to ensure that any course of secondary care treatment being provided to the dependent is transferred to an appropriate health body in the area to which the dependent relocates, and— (a) the dependent's treatment or place on a treatment waiting list is maintained upon transfer of responsibility of care between health bodies, and (b) the dependent will not require a new referral form from a general practitioner or other primary care professional as a condition for continuation of treatment upon transfer of responsibility of care between health bodies. (3) Regulations under this section must include a requirement for a national authority to issue guidance on— (a) the transfer of patient records, (b) the continuation of treatment pathways upon transfer of responsibility of care between health bodies, and (c) the preservation of waiting list placement upon transfer of responsibility of care between health bodies."

1

Clause 20, page 34, line 27, at end insert- "(iii) a retired holder of such a rank."

6

Clause 33, page 54, line 43, at end insert- "69C Prevention of recall for persons in reserved occupations (1) The Secretary of State may make regulations to define certain categories of civilian work as reserved occupations. (2) A “reserved occupation” under subsection (1) is any category of civilian work which the Secretary of State deems as vital for defence purposes. (3) Persons undertaking a reserved occupation may be exempted from a recall order under section 69A for which they would have otherwise been liable."

Clause 33, page 54, line 43, at end insert— "69C Notice periods for recall (1) Those reservists in Army Reserve Group A, or its equivalents, shall, following the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, have their standard notice reduced from readiness category R9 (180 days) to R8 (90 days). (2) For the purposes of this section, “Army Reserve Group A” has the meaning defined in the Reserve Land Forces Regulations 2026."

NC1

To move the following Clause— "Exemption from the European Convention on Human Rights for Deployed Members of the Reserve Forces A member of the reserve forces who has been deployed for operations under this Act may not be subject to the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights for the duration of that deployment."

NC2

To move the following Clause- "Laying of the Defence Investment Plan Within one month of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must lay a Defence Investment Plan before both Houses of Parliament."

7

After section 366 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 insert- "366A National Veterans' Commissioner (England): establishment (1) Within 12 months of the passing of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must appoint a National Veterans' Commissioner for England ("the Commissioner"). (2) The Commissioner shall act independently in carrying out the functions of the office. (3) The Commissioner's functions shall include but are not limited to— (a) promoting the interests of veterans in England; (b) monitoring the operation and effectiveness of the Armed Forces Covenant in England; (c) reviewing the effect of public policy and public services on veterans and their families; (d) identifying barriers faced by veterans in accessing housing, healthcare, employment, education, and other public services; (e) making recommendations to the Secretary of State and to public authorities on improving support for veterans. (4) In exercising the functions under subsection (3) the Commissioner may— (a) carry out reviews and investigations into matters affecting veterans; (b) consult veterans, service charities, public authorities, and other relevant organisations; (c) publish reports and recommendations. (5) The Commissioner shall prepare an annual report on the exercise of the Commissioner's functions. (6) The Commissioner may at any time prepare a report on any matter relating to the interests of veterans in England. (7) The Secretary of State must lay any report prepared by the Commissioner under this section before both Houses of Parliament. (8) The Secretary of State must make arrangements for— (a) the provision of staff, accommodation, and other resources as they consider necessary for the Commissioner to carry out their functions, and (b) the publication of the Commissioner's reports under this section. (9) The Commissioner is to be appointed for a term of three years and may be reappointed for one further term. (10) The Secretary of State may remove the Commissioner from office only on grounds of— (a) incapacity, (b) misbehaviour, or (c) failure to discharge the functions of the office. (11) In this section— "public authority” has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998; "veteran" means a person who has served in His Majesty's armed forces.”

Clause 37, page 56, line 35, at end insert— (4) The Secretary of State must create a plan for ensuring and monitoring the efficiency of the RFCA in carrying out its duties and its relationship with local Reserve and Cadet units. (5) The plan in subsection (4) must be laid before each House of Parliament within six months of the passage of this Act.

20

★ Clause 33, page 52, line 1, leave out "65" and insert "67"

21

★ Clause 33, page 52, line 10, leave out "65" and insert "67"

22

★ Clause 33, page 54, line 6, leave out “12” and insert "18"

23

★ Clause 33, page 54, line 43, at end insert- "69C Prevention of recall for persons in reserved occupations (1) The Secretary of State may make regulations to define certain categories of civilian work as reserved occupations. (2) A “reserved occupation” under subsection (1) is any category of civilian work which the Secretary of State deems as vital for defence purposes. (3) Persons undertaking a reserved occupation may be exempted from a recall order under section 69A for which they would have otherwise been liable.”

24

★ Clause 33, page 54, line 43, at end insert- "69C Notice periods for recall (1) Those reservists in Army Reserve Group A, or its equivalents, shall, following the coming into force of the Armed Forces Act 2026, have their standard notice reduced from readiness category R9 (180 days) to R8 (90 days) (2) For the purposes of this section, “Army Reserve Group A” has the meaning defined in the Reserve Land Forces Regulations 2026."

25

★ Clause 33, page 54, line 43, at end insert- "69C Notice periods for recall (1) Those reservists in Army Reserve Group A, or its equivalents, shall, following the coming into force of the Armed Forces Act 2026, have their standard notice reduced from readiness category R9 (180 days) to R8 (90 days) (2) For the purposes of this section, “Army Reserve Group A” has the meaning defined in the Reserve Land Forces Regulations 2026."

NC15

To move the following Clause— "Designation of Maritime Uncrewed Systems as Warships (1) The Secretary of State may designate an uncrewed maritime system as a warship where the Secretary of State considers it appropriate. (2) A designation under subsection (1) may be made only where the system— (a) is operated by or on behalf of the armed forces, and (b) is used, or intended to be used, for defensive purposes. (3) An uncrewed maritime system designated under this section is to be treated as a warship for the purposes of domestic law. (4) In this section, “uncrewed maritime system” means any vessel or platform capable of operating at sea without a person on board.”

NC16

★ To move the following Clause— "Exemption from the European Convention on Human Rights for deployed members of the reserve forces A member of the reserve forces who has been deployed for operations under this Act may not be subject to the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights for the duration of that deployment.”

NC17

To move the following Clause— "Defence Readiness Plan (1) Within one month of the passage of this Act, and every 12 months thereafter, the Secretary of State must lay a Defence Readiness Plan before both Houses of Parliament. (2) The Defence Readiness Plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, a statement of the number of personnel in, and readiness of, each of the Reserve Forces governed by the Reserve Forces Act 1996."

18

★ Clause 25, page 43, line 23, leave out paragraph (a) and insert— “(a) must require that, before a victim is asked to express a preference regarding jurisdiction— (i) the victim is provided with a standardised explanation of the service justice system and the civilian justice system, (ii) such information is presented in a clear, accessible and neutral manner, (iii) the information includes an explanation of the key features, processes, available support and potential outcomes of each system, sufficient to enable the victim to make an informed decision, and (iv) the victim is informed of the availability of any independent legal advice or advocacy and how it may be accessed, (b) must require that- (i) a written record is made of the information provided to the victim, and (ii) where a victim expresses a preference, a record is made of the reasons for that preference, so far as provided by the victim, (c) must not present information in a way that is misleading or lacking appropriate context.”

19

★ Clause 25, page 44, line 33, at end insert— ""independent” means independent of— (a) the chain of command, and (b) any body responsible for the investigation or prosecution of the offence."

NC8

To move the following Clause- "Feasibility study on a Forces Housing Association (1) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State shall publish a detailed feasibility study into the possibility of establishing a Forces Housing Association (FHA). (2) The Study must examine the proposals in Chapter 5 of the 2020 Report "Stick or Twist – A Report for The Prime Minister into Retention in HM Armed Forces and how to improve it". (3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the study before each House of Parliament."

NC9

★ To move the following Clause- "HM Forces and Veterans Railcards (1) The Secretary of State must, by regulations, provide for the continued provision of- (a) the HM Forces Railcard, and (b) the Veterans Railcard. (2) The railcard schemes under subsection (1) must provide eligible persons with discounted travel on the national rail network. (3) The regulations must specify that such railcard schemes— (a) operate on a national basis; (b) are subject to published eligibility criteria; (c) are maintained in a manner consistent with other national rail concessionary schemes. (4) The regulations may make provision for the detailed operation of the railcard schemes. (5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament."

NC10

★ To move the following Clause- "Authorisation of drone use for defence purposes After Part 16D of AFA 2006 (inserted by section 4 of this Act) insert— "PART 16E DEFENCE DRONES 343R Authorisations of drone use for defence purposes (1) An authorised person may authorise the use of unmanned aircraft systems for the purpose of defence- (a) testing, (b) evaluation, (c) training, and (d) capability development. (2) For the purposes of this section, an “authorised person” means— (a) a member of the Armed Forces who has been deemed authorised by the Secretary of State, or (b) a civilian employee of the Ministry of Defence who has been deemed authorised by the Secretary of State. (3) An authorisation under subsection (1) must- (a) be in writing, except in urgent cases in which it may be given verbally and later confirmed in writing as soon as reasonably practicable, and (b) not have effect for a period exceeding six months. (4) An authorised person must have regard to the principles of necessity and proportionality when granting an authorisation under subsection (1).""

NC11

★ To move the following Clause- "Designation of defensive drone offshore areas (1) After Part 16D of AFA 2006 (inserted by section 4 of this Act) insert— "PART 16D DEFENCE DRONES 343R Designation of defence drone offshore areas (1) An authorised person may designate an area of sea and associated airspace as a defence drone offshore area for the purposes of authorised unmanned aircraft operations. (2) For the purposes of this section, an "authorised person” means— (a) a member of the Armed Forces who has been deemed authorised by the Secretary of State, or (b) a civilian employee of the Ministry of Defence who has been deemed authorised by the Secretary of State. (3) Before making an authorisation under subsection (1), the authorised person must consult- (a) the Civil Aviation Authority, (b) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and (c) Any other maritime authorities as the authorised person considers appropriate. (4) An authorised person may impose conditions regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft systems within a designated area.""

NC12

★ To move the following Clause- "Review of Regulatory Framework for Uncrewed Systems (1) Within 12 months of the passage of this Act and once every 12 months thereafter, the Secretary of State must conduct a review of the regulatory framework governing the testing and operation of uncrewed systems in the maritime and land domains. (2) A review under subsection (1) must consider- (a) the framework's impact on the development, testing and deployment of uncrewed systems by small and medium-sized defence suppliers; (b) the existence of any regulatory barriers to timely testing or operational deployment of uncrewed systems for defence purposes; (c) developments in the regulatory frameworks of the United Kingdom's military alliances; (d) the framework's impact on the competitiveness of the United Kingdom's defence industry. (3) A review under subsection (1) must be published as a report and laid before Parliament."

NC13

★ To move the following Clause- "Protective Orders: Persons No Longer Subject to Service Law (1) This section applies where a person— (a) is charged with, or has been convicted of, an offence within the service justice system, and (b) was subject to service law either at the time of the alleged conduct or at the time of the charging decision, whether or not they remain subject to service law at the time of trial or sentencing. (2) A service court may make any of the following orders in respect of a person as if they were still subject to service law— (a) a sexual harm prevention order or interim sexual harm prevention order (see sections 103A to 103K of the Sexual Offences Act 2003); (b) a sexual risk order or interim sexual risk order (see sections 122A to 122K of that Act); (c) a service domestic abuse protection order; (d) a service stalking protection order; (e) a service restraining order (see section 229 of the Armed Forces Act 2006). (3) An order made under subsection (2)— (a) has effect as if made by a civilian court of equivalent jurisdiction, and (b) is enforceable accordingly. (4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the recognition, enforcement and variation of orders made under this section, including provision about which court has jurisdiction to vary or discharge such an order after it is made."

NC14

★ To move the following Clause- "Overseas operations and the European Convention on Human Rights After section 14 of the Human Rights Act 1998 insert— "14A Duty to consider derogation in relation to overseas operations (1) Where the Secretary of State considers that any overseas operation is, or is likely to be, significant, the Secretary of State must consider whether it is appropriate for the United Kingdom to make a derogation under Article 15(1) of the Convention. (2) In this section— "overseas operations” means operations of Her Majesty's forces outside the British Islands in the course of which members of those forces may come under attack or face the threat of attack or violent resistance; "Her Majesty's forces” has the same meaning as in the Armed Forces Act 2006 (see section 374 of that Act).””

★ To move the following Clause- "Designation of Maritime Uncrewed Systems as Warships (1) The Secretary of State may designate an uncrewed maritime system as a warship where the Secretary of State considers it appropriate. (2) A designation under subsection (1) may be made only where the system— (a) is operated by or on behalf of the armed forces, and (b) is used, or intended to be used, for defensive purposes. (3) An uncrewed maritime system designated under this section is to be treated as a warship for the purposes of domestic law. (4) In this section, “uncrewed maritime system” means any vessel or platform capable of operating at sea without a person on board.”

17

Clause 3, page 7, line 16, at end insert— "(4) The Defence Housing Service will operate within a budget which must be set out in any Defence Investment Plan published by the Secretary of State.”

14

Clause 3, page 7, line 26, at end insert- "(e) improving the satisfaction of service families with the accommodation provided."

15

Clause 3, page 7, line 26, at end insert- "(e) provide earmarked accommodation to facilitate “contact visits" for children of service personnel, who do not live with them (in accordance with any relevant court order)."

16

Clause 3, page 9, line 27, at end insert- "(4) The Chief Executive of the Defence Housing Service must report directly to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces regarding the performance of the Defence Housing Service."

NC7

To move the following Clause- "Feasibility study on a Forces Housing Association (1) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State shall publish a detailed feasibility study into the possibility of establishing a Forces Housing Association (FHA). (2) The Study must examine the proposals in Chapter 5 of the 2020 Report "Stick or Twist – A Report for The Prime Minister into Retention in HM Armed Forces and how to improve it". (3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the study before each House of Parliament."

8

Clause 2, page 3, line 19, at end insert— ""due regard” means that specified bodies should think about and place an appropriate amount of weight on the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when they consider all the key factors relevant to how they carry out their functions."

5

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC National protocol for consistent access to public services (1) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish a national protocol for consistent access to public services for service people and relevant family members. (2) The national protocol must set out standardised procedures and expectations for the persons specified in section 343AZA(4) regarding the exercise of their functions in relation to the matters specified in section 343AZA(5). (3) In exercising a public function to which section 343AZA applies, a person specified in section 343AZA(4) must act in accordance with the national protocol. (4) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the national protocol before each House of Parliament no later than six months after the day on which the Armed Forces Act 2026 is passed. (5) The Secretary of State may from time to time revise the national protocol and must publish and lay before each House of Parliament any revised version."

10

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC Continuity of NHS secondary care services (1) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the continuity of secondary care treatment for a person who— (a) is a dependent of a member of the regular or reserve forces who is receiving secondary care services from a health body in one part of the United Kingdom, and (b) becomes ordinarily resident in another part of the United Kingdom when the member of the armed forces to whom that person is dependent is posted. (2) The regulations must specify that the relevant health body must take reasonable steps to ensure that any course of secondary care treatment being provided to the dependent is appropriately transferred to an appropriate health body in the area to which the dependent relocates. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), “appropriately transferred” means— (a) the dependent's treatment or place on a treatment waiting list is maintained upon transfer of responsibility of care between health bodies, and (b) the dependent will not require a new referral form from a general practitioner or other primary care professional as a condition for continuation of treatment upon transfer of responsibility of care between health bodies. (4) Regulations under this section must include a requirement for a national authority to issue guidance on— (a) the transfer of patient records, (b) the continuation of treatment pathways upon transfer of responsibility of care between health bodies, and (c) the preservation of waiting list placement upon transfer of responsibility of care between health bodies."

11

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC Continuity of plans for Special Educational Needs (1) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must make regulations to make provision for a plan for Special Educational Needs awarded to a person who— (a) is a parent serving in the Armed Forces, and (b) becomes ordinarily resident in another part of the United Kingdom when posted. (2) The regulations shall specify that the plan for Special Educational Needs awarded to a person in subsection (1), in respect of their child or children, must be portable when responsibility for delivering that plan is transferred from one education body or local authority to another. (3) The regulations made under subsection (1) shall provide that, if a service family are required to move from one base to another, for operational or other reasons, any plan for Special Educational Needs awarded to them or their child via their current education body or local authority shall remain equally valid, post-transfer, with the education body or local authority which covers the area of their new posting. (4) Serving families covered by subsection (2) shall have reasonable time to negotiate a named school for their plan in their new area with the relevant education body and local authority. (5) In this section, “a plan for Special Educational Needs” means— (a) in England, an Education and Health Care Plan, (b) in Wales, an Individual Development Plan, (c) in Scotland, a Co-ordinated Support Plan, (d) in Northern Ireland, a Statement of Special Educational Needs."

12

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC Continuity of adoption and fostering arrangements (1) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the continuity of adoption and fostering arrangements for a person who— (a) is a serving member of the Armed Forces, (b) has entered into negotiations about potentially adopting or fostering children, and (c) is required to move base as part of their military service. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) must ensure that if a service family is required to move from one base to another, for operational or other reasons, any adoption or fostering arrangements they have made with their existing local authority should be appropriately transferred to the appropriate new local authority. (3) For the purposes of this section, “appropriately transferred” means any adoption or fostering arrangements shall not be disrupted as a result of the transfer from one local authority to another. (4) Regulations under subsection (1) must make provision for minimum residency requirements for adoption or fostering in a local authority to be waived for any service family which is required to move from one local authority jurisdiction to another, for operational or other reasons. (5) Service families in this position shall have an opportunity to re-negotiate potential adoption or fostering arrangements with the new local authority, including prior to transfer to their new posting."

13

Clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— "343AZC Armed Forces Covenant Action Plans (1) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must make regulations requiring a local authority to which the Armed Forces Covenant duty applies to prepare and publish an Armed Forces Action Plan. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) must specify that an Armed Forces Action Plan set out— (a) the steps the authority intends to take to fulfil its duties under the Armed Forces Covenant, (b) how the authority will assess local need within the Armed Forces community, and (c) how resources will be allocated to support delivery of those duties. (3) A relevant local authority must, at least once in each reporting period, publish a report on progress made against its action plan. (4) In preparing an action plan and report under this section, a relevant local authority must have regard to any guidance or outcomes issued by the Secretary of State. (5) The Secretary of State may issue guidance, including indicative outcomes or measures, for the purposes of supporting consistent implementation and assessment of the Armed Forces Covenant duty."

2

Clause 3, page 8, line 13, leave out "service family accommodation" and insert "defence housing"

3

Clause 3, page 8, line 16, at end insert— "(6A) The standards in subsection (6) must at a minimum meet the 2006 decent homes standard."

4

Clause 3, page 9, line 12, at end insert— ""2006 decent homes standard" means the document called "A Decent Home: Definition and guidance for implementation” that was published by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 7 June 2006."

6

Clause 12, page 29, line 6, at end insert— "115C Duty to refer sexual offences and domestic abuse to civilian police (1) This section applies where a service police force or the tri-service serious crime unit is made aware of an allegation that a person subject to service law, or a civilian subject to service discipline, has committed a relevant offence in the United Kingdom. (2) The Provost Marshal of the relevant service police force, or the Provost Marshal for serious crime, must immediately refer the allegation and transfer the investigation to the relevant civilian police force. (3) In this section— "relevant civilian police force” means the civilian police force for the area in which the alleged offence took place; "relevant offence" means— (a) any offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, (b) an offence involving domestic abuse within the meaning of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, or (c) an offence of attempting or conspiring to commit an offence within sub-paragraph (a) or (b). (4) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify further offences which are to be treated as a relevant offence for the purposes of this section."

9

Clause 20, page 34, line 27, at end insert "or (iii) a retired holder of such a rank."

7

Clause 31, page 51, line 2, at end insert— "(5) The Secretary of State must, in respect of each financial year, publish a report assessing the impact of the provisions under subsections (3) and (4) on the retention of personnel within His Majesty's forces. (6) The report under subsection (5) must include data on the number of personnel who have transferred between the regular and reserve forces, broken down by service and rank. (7) The first such report must be laid before each House of Parliament within a period of 12 months after the day on which this Act is passed. (8) Each subsequent report must be laid before each House of Parliament no later than 12 months after the publication of the last report under this section."

1

Clause 33, page 51, line 31, at end insert— "(2B) This section does not apply to any person who was discharged from the regular services or the reserve forces for a medical reason relating to physical or mental health."

NC1

To move the following Clause— "Single living accommodation standards (1) The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is amended as follows. (2) In section 101 (The standard of MOD accommodation), after “service family accommodation”, in each place it occurs, insert "and single living accommodation". (3) In subsection (10), at the appropriate place insert— ""single living accommodation” means any building or part of a building which is provided for the use of a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline as living accommodation, but which is not service family accommodation;”."

NC2

To move the following Clause— "Veterans' Mental Health Oversight Officer (1) The Armed Forces Act 2006 is amended as follows. (2) After section 343C (Establishment and functions of veterans advisory and pensions committees) insert— "343CA Establishment and functions of a Veterans' Mental Health Oversight Officer (1) The Secretary of State must appoint a person to be the Veterans' Mental Health Oversight Officer. (2) The general function of the Officer is to oversee the mental health care and treatment provided to veterans by the health bodies specified in section 343AZB. (3) In exercising their function, the Officer must, in particular, monitor and assess the extent to which health bodies are complying with the duty imposed by section 343AZA (Duty to have due regard to the covenant) in relation to the mental health and well-being of veterans. (4) The Officer may require a health body to provide such information as the Officer considers reasonably necessary to discharge their functions under this section. (5) The Officer must prepare an annual report on the exercise of their functions and the general state of veterans' mental health care and treatment in the United Kingdom. (6) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the Officer's annual report before each House of Parliament. (7) In this section, “veteran” means a person who has at any time been a service member.""

NC3

To move the following Clause— "Duty to provide medical records on discharge (1) This section applies where a person ceases to be a member of the regular forces or the reserve forces. (2) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for a complete copy of the person's service medical records is provided to the person no later than one month after the day on which the person is discharged or otherwise ceases to be a member of those forces. (3) Those regulations may specify the manner and form in which service medical records are to be provided under this section, including provision for records to be transferred directly to a civilian health body with the person's consent. (4) In this section— "health body" has the same meaning as in section 343AZB; "service medical records” means any records relating to the person's physical or mental health care and treatment created or maintained by or on behalf of His Majesty's forces during the person's period of service."

NC4

To move the following Clause— "Independent review of Armed Forces recruitment and retention (1) The Secretary of State must commission an independent review of the processes for recruitment and retention across His Majesty's forces. (2) The review under subsection (1) must, in particular, consider— (a) the efficiency and consistency of recruitment processes across the Royal Navy, the regular army, the Royal Air Force and the reserve forces, (b) the effectiveness of steps being taken to improve diversity and inclusion within His Majesty's forces, (c) the impact of the quality of defence housing (including single living accommodation) on the retention of service personnel, and (d) the impact of the medical discharge process on retention and transition to civilian life. (3) A report of the review must be laid before each House of Parliament no later than 12 months after the day on which this Act is passed."

NC5

To move the following Clause— "An armed forces retention strategy (1) This section applies where the Secretary of State lays before Parliament the Ministry of Defence Votes A paper seeking Parliamentary authority for the maximum numbers of personnel to be maintained for service with the armed forces in the following financial year. (2) The Secretary of State must lay alongside the Votes A paper an armed forces retention strategy. (3) The retention strategy must include— (a) an assessment of the current rates of retention across the regular and reserve forces, (b) an explanation of the steps the Ministry of Defence is taking to improve retention to meet the maximum numbers of personnel set out in the Votes A paper, and (c) an assessment of the findings of the most recent Armed Forces Continuous Attitudes Survey and its findings regarding satisfaction with service life."

NC6

To move the following Clause— "National Veterans' Commissioner (England) After section 366 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 insert— "366A National Veterans' Commissioner (England): establishment (1) Within 12 months of the passing of the Armed Forces Act 2026, the Secretary of State must appoint a National Veterans' Commissioner for England ("the Commissioner"). (2) The Commissioner shall act independently in carrying out the functions of the office. (3) The Commissioner shall, amongst others, perform the following functions— (a) promote the interests of veterans in England; (b) monitor the operation and effectiveness of the Armed Forces Covenant in England; (c) review the effect of public policy and public services on veterans and their families; (d) identify barriers faced by veterans in accessing housing, healthcare, employment, education, and other public services; (e) make recommendations to the Secretary of State and to public authorities on improving support for veterans. (4) In exercising these functions the Commissioner may— (a) carry out reviews and investigations into matters affecting veterans; (b) consult veterans, service charities, public authorities, and other relevant organisations; (c) publish reports and recommendations. (5) The Commissioner shall prepare an annual report on the exercise of the Commissioner's functions. (6) The Commissioner may at any time prepare a report on any matter relating to the interests of veterans in England. (7) The Secretary of State shall lay any report prepared under this section before both Houses of Parliament. (8) The Secretary of State must make arrangements for— (a) the provision of such staff, accommodation, and other resources as they consider necessary for the Commissioner to carry out their functions; (b) the publication of the Commissioner's reports. (9) The Commissioner is to be appointed for a term of three years and may be reappointed for a further term. (10) The Secretary of State may remove the Commissioner from office only on grounds of— (a) incapacity, (b) misbehaviour, or (c) failure to discharge the functions of the office. (11) In this section— "public authority" has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998; "veteran" means a person who has served in His Majesty's armed forces.""