Support for Plymouth's armed forces

The Armed Forces Covenant will also support their families

Armed forces personnel in Plymouth, past and present, are to be given help in securing housing, schools and job interviews. 

The move comes as city councillors agreed to sign the Armed Forced Covenant which recognises that military personnel should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives. 

The covenant promises to give preference for people requiring social housing who are currently in the armed forces or who are leaving the services, and to ensure the council allocates some housing stock to applicants from the military.

Service families who need to school places for their children will also be given support and assistance.

The council’s commitment will also ensure that veterans who apply for city council jobs will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the criteria in the job specification.

The covenant extends to welcoming job applications from spouses and partners of serving personnel who also meet such criteria, and it promises to offer some flexibility in granting leave for before, during and after a partner’s deployment.

Deputy leader of the council Councillor Mark Shayer said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we are publicly renewing our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

“The armed forces have been an intrinsic part of Plymouth for hundreds of years. 

“Over this time, the city has, and retains, a special and reciprocal relationship with those who serve and have served. 

“We recognise the sacrifices that have been made to keep our city and our country safe and it is right that the city council commits to support all those in the armed forces’ community.”

The council has also promised to work with local businesses to offer discounts and other deals to defence personnel.