Measures to help military families get better access to education and healthcare are to be published by a commission set up by the Conservatives.
Measures to help military families get better access to education and healthcare are to be published by a commission set up by the Conservatives.
Families of soldiers would get help to secure NHS treatment and housing would be improved, under the recommendations.
Families of soldiers would get help to secure NHS treatment and housing would be improved, under the recommendations.
The government is already considering ways to improve the welfare of the armed forces and respect for them.
The government is already considering ways to improve the welfare of the armed forces and respect for them.
Many personnel are thought to leave the services because of difficulties imposed on their families.
Many personnel are thought to leave the services because of difficulties imposed on their families.
The measures, to be published in an interim report, were drawn up by the military covenant commission, which is chaired by novelist Frederick Forsyth.
The measures, to be published in an interim report, were drawn up by the military covenant commission, which is chaired by novelist Frederick Forsyth.
The Tories are likely to accept most of the proposals made by the commission.
The Tories are likely to accept most of the proposals made by the commission.
Moving abroad
Moving abroad
Housing, schooling for service children and healthcare are understood to be key areas of concern.
Housing, schooling for service children and healthcare are understood to be key areas of concern.
Interim proposals to be unveiled by the commission will include help with maintaining military families' NHS waiting list places when they move around.
Interim proposals to be unveiled by the commission will include help with maintaining military families' NHS waiting list places when they move around.
Families of service personnel would be able take their waiting list position with them to a new area, and would be guaranteed access to an NHS dentist.
Families of service personnel would be able take their waiting list position with them to a new area, and would be guaranteed access to an NHS dentist.
Military families would also attract additional funding for their children's schooling.
Military families would also attract additional funding for their children's schooling.
Broken covenant?
Broken covenant?
In March, the Conservatives launched an investigation into the military covenant - the unspoken pact that members of the armed forces receive special care from society in return for the sacrifices they make.
In March, the Conservatives launched an investigation into the military covenant - the unspoken pact that members of the armed forces receive special care from society in return for the sacrifices they make.
Tory leader David Cameron has accused the government of breaking that pact.
Tory leader David Cameron has accused the government of breaking that pact.
Last year the Royal British Legion began its own "Honour the Covenant" campaign to highlight the problems faced by troops.
Last year the Royal British Legion began its own "Honour the Covenant" campaign to highlight the problems faced by troops.
At present, the covenant only applies to the Army officially, although the commission is calling for it to be written into the rules of all three services.
At present, the covenant only applies to the Army officially, although the commission is calling for it to be written into the rules of all three services.
In March, when the commission was launched, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "Nobody within military circles has said the military covenant is broken, including the Royal British Legion.
In March, when the commission was launched, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "Nobody within military circles has said the military covenant is broken, including the Royal British Legion.
"That does not mean that the government cannot do better. We strive constantly to ensure the armed forces have the best possible package of care. In the past few years we have made some significant improvements."
"That does not mean that the government cannot do better. We strive constantly to ensure the armed forces have the best possible package of care. In the past few years we have made some significant improvements."
Many of the ideas from the commission are believed to be similar to those being considered by the government.
Many of the ideas from the commission are believed to be similar to those being considered by the government.
Its plans to improve the welfare of the armed services are set to be unveiled in the next few weeks.
Its plans to improve the welfare of the armed services are set to be unveiled in the next few weeks.
The launch is set to be attended by Falklands veteran Simon Weston.
The launch is set to be attended by Falklands veteran Simon Weston.
Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Do you work in the military? Have you had problems with access to education and healthcare? What do you think of the plan? Send us your comments using the form below.
