Newline Highways
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 Newline Highways 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 [BUSINESS NAME] 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
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
We also pledge the following:
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Offer flexible working to support reservists’ training commitments, subject to operational requirements.
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Recognise key military dates and campaigns (e.g., Remembrance) within internal communications.
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Encourage positive engagement with the Armed Forces community through our social media and website.
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Guarantee interviews for suitably qualified ex-service applicants where possible.
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Offer flexible working to support reservists’ training commitments, subject to operational requirements.
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Provide tailored onboarding support to help service leavers transition into civilian employment within highways and construction.
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Maintain a clear point of contact within Newline for members of the Armed Forces community seeking information or support.
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Engage with local and regional Armed Forces support organisations to share opportunities and good practice.
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Promote the benefits of hiring ex-service personnel to our partners and supply chain organisations.
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Where relevant and commercially appropriate, give favourable consideration to Armed Forces veterans and military-owned SMEs within our procurement and subcontracting processes.
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Provide a supportive working environment that recognises the health needs of veterans and reservists, including mental health considerations.
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Ensure access to signposting and support services such as the Veterans’ Gateway and local NHS Armed Forces services.
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Support employees who are transitioning from service accommodation into local civilian housing by offering flexibility around start dates and induction arrangements.
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Maintain awareness of the challenges faced by children of service families and offer flexibility to employees in meeting education-related needs.
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Review our commitments annually to ensure they remain relevant and meaningful. Continue to build a culture that values service, discipline, leadership and commitment — qualities strongly aligned with our work on the UK’s strategic road network.
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.