Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has today published an annual review of progress on the Armed Forces Covenant agenda and reaffirmed its commitment to carry out regular reviews.

LCR Leaders and Mayors, including St Helens Leader Cllr David Baines, today reaffirmed their commitment to our service men and women ahead of tomorrow’s Armed Forces Day events.

Labour’s Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, signed an LCR version of the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the Combined Authority in September 2017.

Reflecting his personal commitment, the Metro Mayor agreed to personally assume the role of Armed Forces Champion.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served, and their families, are treated fairly. This commitment is made in recognition of the sacrifices they make on behalf of the country. It is not designed to give the Armed Forces, veterans and their families, preferential treatment but it should ensure that they get a fair deal and are not disadvantaged because of their service.

David Baines says: “I’m incredibly proud of our Armed Forces and they have a special place in the hearts of St Helens residents and people across the whole city region. The Armed Forces Covenant is an important commitment to the welfare and support of those who serve, and I’m more than happy to give it my full support.”

Speaking about the Covenant and the latest annual review, Steve Rotheram said:

“Pride in our armed forces is something that was drummed into me by my grandad from a young age. This Covenant is about the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, and recognises the service and sacrifice of the individual sailors, soldiers, and airmen and airwomen, both serving and veterans, as well as their loved ones, on whose support they depend.

There are deep and longstanding ties between the armed forces and our city region. That’s why the Annual Service of Remembrance at St George’s Plateau is typically one of the biggest outside the capital. Hence the Combined Authority covenant builds on a lot of fantastic work that is already being undertaken by the city region’s local authorities – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral.

This report celebrates that work, but also provides us with a platform to learn from best practice and to set about planning how, working together as a city region, we can collectively advance our promise to honour and respect veterans, serving personnel, and their families.”