Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Provide the Committee with updates on improving data collection for Covenant delivery.
Recommendation
The Government should provide the Committee with an update, in its response to this Report and when it gives evidence to the Committee on the Covenant Annual Report in the future, on the work it is doing to improve data collection and sharing of how the Covenant is being delivered. (Recommendation, Paragraph 37)
Government Response Summary
The MOD accepts the recommendation and provides an update on current data collection via annual reports and online feedback. They recognise the need for improved data and commit to ongoing engagement, roundtables, and a July 2025 conference to encourage knowledge sharing.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
MOD acknowledges with the Committee’s conclusion at Paragraph 36 and accepts the recommendation at Paragraph 37. The MOD currently utilises the Covenant Annual Report to assess the success of the Covenant through monitoring progress, stakeholder engagement, governance, and lessons learned. Furthermore, the MOD gathers direct feedback from cohorts covered by the Covenant via the Covenant website and a dedicated online mailbox, receiving over 5,000 unique hits per month, this is used to identify and where possible, resolve service-related disadvantages. The MOD is aware that the evidence currently available to measure the success of the application of the Covenant Duty is limited and we recognise the importance of improving data collection and governance to target better and more consistent outcomes for our people. Engagement with OGDs, Devolved Governments and the Third Sector continues. The MOD hold regular round tables which provide opportunity for raising awareness of the planned policy and Duty Extension developments, and collaborative discussions including policy development and best practice with stakeholders across Government, the Devolved Governments, Local Authorities and the Third Sector. As previously noted in this response, the Covenant team hosts an annual conference with the Devolved Governments and Local Authorities which are forums to share best practices. The next Covenant conference is to be held in July 2025, which we plan to encourage organisations to share their experiences in delivering the Covenant duty and raise awareness about the unique needs of the Armed Forces community and recognise success.