Ulster Unionist Leader Mike Nesbitt MLA has given notice of his Party’s intention to call for an Armed Forces Community Covenant as a voluntary statement of our support for the local Armed Forces community and to ensure local projects access some of the £30million of funding set aside to promote  projects UK wide.

Mr Nesbitt said:

“The Ulster Unionist Party has taken the lead in calling for Westminster to rectify the shameful position whereby Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that does not offer an Armed Forces Advocate to support service personnel and veterans from, or based in, Northern Ireland.

However, there is another element to this support network, the Armed Forces Community Covenant which we are keen to see adopted by all 26 Councils in Northern Ireland. The UK Government has set aside up to £30 million over four financial years 2011-15 to help communities undertake projects that promote greater understanding between the military and civilian populations. The Ulster Unionist Party is extremely keen to see local projects avail of this funding. 

The Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community and is intended to complement the Armed Forces Covenant which outlines the moral obligation between the Nation, the Government and the Armed Forces, at local level. 

Its purpose is to encourage support for the Armed Forces Community working and residing in each District Council area and to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces Community. It encourages the integration of Servicemen and women into civilian life and encourages members of the Armed Forces community to help their local community.  

I am taking steps to ensure that the Ulster Unionist Party introduces a Notice of Motion in Councils across Northern Ireland, to give effect to the Community Covenant in their borough or district. 

The Community Covenant grant scheme has been set up to fund local projects which strengthen the ties or the mutual understanding between members of the Armed Forces Community and the wider community in which they live.”