Less Than A Quarter Of Companies Know About Military Covenant, Says Report

A charity is calling for increased awareness around the benefits of signing up to the covenant (Picture: Crown Copyright).

Less than a quarter of British organisations have heard of the Armed Forces Covenant, according to a new report.

Twenty-four per cent of companies have heard of the Covenant, which is a pledge made by the government that those who serve their country, veterans and their families are treated fairly.

Only eight per cent of companies have signed the promise, which came into law in 2011.

The report, 'Benefit not Burden, commissioned by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), says the smaller the organisation is, the less likely it is to be aware of the covenant or to have signed it or take any action.

Now the FiMT is calling for increased awareness around the benefits of signing up to the covenant and being a veteran-friendly employer.

To date, more than 3,000 organisations have signed the covenant including business and charities.

Meanwhile, 28% of organisations surveyed in the research claimed they are likely to sign the covenant over the next year.

Ray Lock, Chief Executive of the Forces in Mind Trust, said:

"Ex-Service personnel offer a substantial premium of capability to a prospective employer.

"[This report] has identified some straightforward steps that could be taken relatively easily, and which would result in a substantial improvement in how the nation fulfils its side of the Covenant."