Oral Answers to Questions

Lyn Brown Excerpts

Monday 14th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Francois]

I am encouraged by the number of local authorities around the country that have signed community covenants and pledged to do their best for armed forces communities, the families of those who are serving and veterans. It would be fantastic if local authorities were to sign up by that date, but we should not have to wait until then—the more the merrier and the sooner the better.

[Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab)]

In the Government’s annual covenant report, forces federations state that they

“remain deeply concerned at the cumulative effect of the impact of the pay freeze for many, allowances cuts, including significant and sudden reductions in overseas allowances that have been imposed on families mid-tour, and changes to pensions indexing.”

Is it not the case that, although the Government have enshrined the covenant in law, their actions simply undermine it?

[Mr Francois]

I do not accept that last assertion. It is true that we have enshrined the key principles of the armed forces covenant in law, and I was proud to be one of those who served on the Armed Forces Bill Committee, which helped bring that process to fruition. I work closely with the Army Families Federation; in fact, one of my first appointments as a Minister in the Department was to go and talk to 300 Army wives at the AFF conference. I listen carefully to what it says and will continue to do so.