Milton Keynes City Council signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012 and it promises that those who serve or have served, and their families, will be treated fairly in all aspects of life. An updated version of the document was re-signed, following us being granted City status in 2022. We are proud to reiterate our commitment to the armed forces community.

How we deliver our Armed Forces Covenant promise

An Armed Forces Liaison Group chaired by Cllr Paul Trendall, the Armed Forces Champion, meets quarterly to work on the Milton Keynes Covenant Action Plan.  These meetings may also be known elsewhere as Civil Military Partnership Board (CMPB) meetings.  The group make plans to deliver against key areas such as:

• health and wellbeing
• economy and skills
• recognition and remembrance and education
• children and young people  

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We are proud of being awarded gold award status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme having already achieved bronze in 2016 and silver in 2019.  Gold status was awarded following our continual and committed support of the Armed Forces Community. The scheme encourages employers across the country to do more for the armed forces in their area. 

We support MK’s service personnel community in many ways, including a guaranteed veteran interview scheme.  We’re proud of colleagues who are reservists and adult cadet force volunteers.

Any employer or business can sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant or join the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.  More information can be found on The Armed Forces Covenant website.

Useful documents

• Armed Forces Covenant annual report
• Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report Summary
• Armed Forces Covenant on a page
• Milton Keynes Armed Forces Covenant
• Armed Forces Covenant Duty - Statutory Guidance

Grant information

Force for Change programme - this new local grant awards one-year grants of up to £20,000 for projects that seek to promote social inclusion and support Forces communities to be less isolated.  This local grant has the aim of tackling the isolation issues brought about during and after Covid-19 and helping Forces communities and supporting volunteers with local projects.

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - find out more about available grant funding and schemes.