Military: New deal for services personnel in covenant

Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed he will honour previous coalition pledges to draw up a formal Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the nation, outlining improved terms of service.

Concerns over the the lack of support offered to soldiers once they have left the army have grown over recent years.

A task force was set up earlier this year to "identify innovative answers" to the difficulties faced by serving and former service personnel and their families, and is due to report back next month.

The Government said yesterday the report has identified "fresh ways of thinking about how to rebuild the military covenant... so that service is properly recognised, rather than a cause of disadvantage."

The coalition has already promised support for ex-service personnel to study at university, and to provide university and further education scholarships for the children of service personnel killed on active service.

It announced yesterday there will also be an extra 20m a year for healthcare , to be spent on additional nurses and mental health services.