Active Announced in the King's Speech on 13 May 2026. 19 of 241 events
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Armed Forces Bill

The King's Speech 2026 defence bill to renew and reform the service justice framework and place the Armed Forces Covenant on a statutory footing.

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2 Feb 2026 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

New powers for Defence personnel to defeat drones following doubling of incidents near bases

Why linked: News announcement on new powers for Defence personnel to defeat drones—directly relates to security powers and military governance reform within the bill's scope.

The security of key military sites will be strengthened as Defence personnel will be given stronger powers to defeat drones near bases as part of new measures being introduced in the Armed Forces Bill.

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15 Jan 2026 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Major boost to pool of skilled former military personnel called upon in crises as UK strengthen preparedness

Why linked: News announcement on skilled former military personnel pool in Armed Forces Bill—directly announces policy measure within the bill affecting reserve forces and service personnel.

The Armed Forces Bill will grow the pool of former Service personnel who Defence could draw on in times of crisis, in a move welcomed by senior military leaders

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18 Dec 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2025

Why linked: HLWS1215 on the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2025 — Lords-side statement of the 14th statutory annual report that is the live baseline for the Bill's expanded Duty.

UIN: HLWS1215 My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. I have today laid before parliament the 14th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report, delivering the statutory duty of the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
16 Dec 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2025

Why linked: The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2025—statutory report laying out covenant performance, essential context for understanding the covenant statutory duty framework being embedded in the bill.

UIN: HCWS1181 I have today laid before parliament the 14th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report, delivering the statutory duty of the Secretary of State for Defence under the Armed Forces Act 2006.Since 2011, the Armed Forces Covenant has been a …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
16 Dec 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2025

Why linked: WMS announcing the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2025.

UIN: HLWS1184 My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.I have today laid before parliament the 14th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report, delivering the statutory duty of the Secretary …

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20 Nov 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

New Director of Service Prosecutions.

Why linked: Companion Lords WMS HLWS1079 on the Director of Service Prosecutions appointment.

UIN: HLWS1079 My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Louise Sandher-Jones) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.Under section 364 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 the Director of Service Prosecutions is appointed by His Majes...

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20 Nov 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

New Director of Service Prosecutions

Why linked: WMS HCWS1078 (Nov 2025) announcing new Director of Service Prosecutions under s.364 of the 2006 Act.

UIN: HCWS1078 Under section 364 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 the Director of Service Prosecutions is appointed by His Majesty the King. The term of the current incumbent, Jonathan Rees KC, came to an end on 31 October 2025. …

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1 Jul 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Defence Reform

Why linked: Defence Reform Written Ministerial Statement (2025-07-01) — likely to address service justice and Armed Forces reform agenda directly related to the Bill

UIN: HLWS762 My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. Today this Government is outlining two major developments in our commitment to reform Defence and the delivery of our …

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30 Jun 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Pledge To Protect Armed Forces Community Through New Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty

Why linked: Companion Lords WMS HLWS748 on the Covenant legal-duty extension.

UIN: HLWS748 My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Alistair Carns) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. As we mark Armed Forces Week, we celebrate the brave personnel that keep us safe every day and the families who …

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30 Jun 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Pledge To Protect Armed Forces Community Through New Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty

Why linked: WMS HCWS747 (30 June 2025) by Alistair Carns MP pledging the Covenant legal-duty extension that Bill Clause 2 delivers.

UIN: HCWS747 As we mark Armed Forces Week, we celebrate the brave personnel that keep us safe every day and the families who sacrifice so much to support them. We also celebrate all that Service life offers: the unique opportunities …

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1 Apr 2025 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Defence Reform

Why linked: Defence Reform Written Ministerial Statement (HLWS571, April 2025) - substantive government announcement on defence reform directly relevant to Bill implementation phase

UIN: HLWS571 My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. Today this Government is bringing in the deepest reforms in UK Defence for 50 years, which will fundamentally change …

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18 Dec 2024 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2024

Why linked: Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2024 (Written Ministerial Statement Dec 2024) – ministerial policy statement on Covenant

UIN: HLWS332 My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Rt Hon John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. I have today laid before parliament the 13th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report. The 2024 report covers …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
18 Dec 2024 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2024

Why linked: Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2024 (HCWS338) - directly on-topic statutory document laying out covenant implementation and performance, core to the Bill's covenant statutory embedding objective

UIN: HCWS338 I have today laid before parliament the 13th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report. The 2024 report covers October 2023 to September 2024, and showcases the work that has been achieved throughout the UK in support of our Armed …

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15 Dec 2021 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

New Armed Forces Bill passed in Parliament

Why linked: News announcement 'New Armed Forces Bill passed in Parliament' 2021—announces the previous Armed Forces Bill (2021) that dealt with covenant and service personnel support, providing immediate legislative history and context.

Defence has delivered new legislation to ensure Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families are better supported when accessing key public services.

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22 Jun 2021 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Report of the Select Committee on the Armed Forces BIll

Why linked: Ministerial Written Statement welcoming Defence Committee Select Committee Report on Armed Forces Bill

UIN: HCWS109 The Ministry of Defence welcomes the Select Committee’s report on the Armed Forces Bill (HC 1281). I am grateful for the Committee’s support of the endeavours to improve the lives of our Service personnel, veterans and their families. …

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22 Jun 2021 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Report of the Select Committee on the Armed Forces BIll

Why linked: Ministerial Written Statement on Select Committee Report on Armed Forces Bill

UIN: HLWS104 My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Leo Docherty) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement: The Ministry of Defence welcomes the Select Committee’s report on the Armed Forces Bill (HC 1281). I am …

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7 Dec 2020 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2020

Why linked: Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2020 (duplicate entry) — same rationale as 59926

UIN: HCWS626 Today, I am laying before Parliament the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2020. The pandemic has seen our Armed Forces once again step onto the front line to protect our nation, from leading mass testing in Liverpool to …

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7 Dec 2020 | Announcement Ministry of Defence linked direct

Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2020

Why linked: Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2020 — historical covenant reporting; relevant to understanding the non-statutory framework being reformed by the Bill

UIN: HLWS617 My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. Today, I am laying before Parliament the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2020. The pandemic …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK