City of London Corporation
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We City of London Corporation will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 City of London Corporation recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Discounts
We also pledge the following:
Continuing to foster the relationships with the City Corporations Privileged and Associated Regiments and support ceremonial events involving them. Supporting the City of London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and HM Commission of Lieutenancy for the City of London. Promoting, celebrating and commemorating the Armed Forces through annual events such as the Lord Mayors Show, Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Flag Raising Day. Hosting and supporting events, including exhibitions and other educational opportunities, to mark significant military anniversaries and occasions. Encouraging City businesses to become forces-friendly employers, sign the Armed Forces Covenant, employ reservists and support their own Armed Forces-linked employees. Encouraging Livery Companies to foster relationships and affiliations with the Armed Forces. Supporting the Veterans in the Square Mile City Belonging Network and promoting engagement from the veteran and reservist community in the civic and cultural life of the Square Mile. « Supporting cadet units and cadet adult volunteers across the City Corporations family of schools, including the City of London School, City of London School for Girls, and City of London Freemens School, and those within the City of London Academies Trust. Offering fair and equitable access to local government services provided by the City of London Corporation, in line with the City Corporations obligations under the Armed Forces Act 2021. Maintaining accurate HR records for reservists and veterans to ensure managers are aware of their status and can provide the necessary support. Partnering with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to provide employment pathways for veterans and service leavers. Offering reasonable adjustments and counselling to support staff impacted by service, including those with service-related disabilities or PTSD. Celebrating the City Corporations Gold Award within the Employer Recognition Scheme, while striving for continuous improvement. We will continue to be dynamic in how we support the promises under this Covenant and will commit to listen to and consult with implicated Corporation employees on relevant issues.
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.