Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, commenting on the publication of the 2015 Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report, said:

“We are all proud of our Armed Forces and their families for the work they do and the sacrifices they make to keep us all safe.

“We welcome any progress made in delivering the Covenant. However, with the prospect of further real terms cuts to Forces’ pay and terms of service being eroded, there is clearly a gap between the rhetoric used by ministers and what is happening in the Armed Forces community.

“Delivery of the Covenant remains worryingly patchy in places, and it is clear that the Government has not done enough to promote it within the Services.

“Labour and many service charities have long called for an audit of what local authorities are being asked to do and what resources they are being given to do it. Ministers must urgently get on with this so that our brave servicemen and women, veterans and their families can receive the treatment that their service deserves.”