Commentary on provisions of Act Section 8: Armed Forces Covenant
Section 8 amends Part 16A of the AFA 2006 to impose a duty to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, as follows: (a) the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces; (b) the principle that it is desirable to remove disadvantages arising for service people from membership, or former membership, of the armed forces; and (c) the principle that special provision for service people may be justified by the effects on such people of membership, or former membership, of the armed forces. These principles are already set out in the existing duty on the Secretary of State to prepare an annual Armed Forces Covenant report (section 343A of the AFA 2006). The new duty applies to specified persons or bodies when exercising certain housing, education or healthcare functions.