The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served and their families, are treated fairly. The Covenant's two principles are that:
- The Armed Forces Community should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services in the are where they live.
- Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have give most, such as the injured and the bereaved.
The Covenant Legal Duty is a legal obligation on certain public bodies, including local authorities, to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when carrying out certain functions in healthcare, education and housing.
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Surrey's Armed Forces Covenant
Surrey County Council is a committed supporter and advocate of the Armed Forces. There are approximately 3,500 Regular members of the Armed Forces, 1480 service children, over 740 Reservists, 3,000 Cadets and 32,500 veterans.
The County Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012, October 2016 and most recently in December 2024. It was proud to be awarded the Ministry of Defence Gold Employers Recognition Scheme Award by His Royal Highness Prince William for outstanding commitment and support to the Armed Forces – at the time Surrey was one of only two County Councils to hold this award. This commitment is ongoing and was recognised as such in 2021 when the award was revalidated.
The Covenant in Surrey is mainly taken forward through the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board (SCMPB). Partners include Deputy Commander Army Head Quarters South East (HQSE) , the Lord-Lieutenant, South East Reserve Forces & Cadet Association (SERFCA), Police and Crime Commissioner, borough and district councils, Surrey Fire and Rescue, Service Charities and our partners in health, education and business.
All Surrey district and borough councils have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces community. For further information please see the links below:
- Elmbridge Borough Council
- Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
- Guildford Borough Council
- Mole Valley District Council
- Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
- Runnymede Borough Council
- Spelthorne Borough Council
- Surrey Heath Borough Council
- Tandridge Borough Council
- Waverley Borough Council
- Woking Borough Council
Armed Forces Covenant Fund
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust supports the Armed Forces Covenant by delivering funding programmes that create real change to Armed Forces communities across the UK.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund has four broad funding themes now and in future years.
- Non-core healthcare services for veterans.
- Removing barriers to family life.
- Extra support, both in and after Service, for those that need help.
- Measures to integrate military and civilian communities and allow the Armed Forces community to participate as citizens.
Surrey has been very successful in bidding for grants from this fund and to date has received over £1.1 million.
Please contact armedforces@surreycc.gov.uk to discuss any bids you may wish to put forward in Surrey.
Armed Forces Covenant for business
Businesses, charitable, and public sector organisations of all sizes who wish to support the armed forces community can sign the covenant. You make your own promises on how you will demonstrate your support.
More information on this and how to become a 'Forces Friendly Employer', including applying to the Employer Recognition Scheme awards, can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant Business pages.