Plan for Change in Barnet: National Security
The Labour Plan for Change on National Security includes a strong commitment to those who serve our country: the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, the largest armed forces pay rise in decades, and a new Veterans Strategy to improve support for those who leave the services. In Barnet, the council is working to ensure those national commitments are reflected in local services and local culture.
The Armed Forces Covenant
Barnet Council has signed the Armed Forces Covenant — a public pledge that the armed forces community will not be disadvantaged in accessing local public services. The covenant covers serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets, spouses, and the families of wounded, injured, or sick service members. The full text of Barnet’s pledge is published on GOV.UK.
In practice, this means Barnet commits to:
- No disadvantage for armed forces families in access to housing, health, and education
- Special consideration for the particular circumstances of veterans and their families
- Support for reservists in the workplace, including guaranteed interview schemes
- Observance of Armed Forces Day and Remembrance events
Gold Award Recognition
In 2023, Barnet Council received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award — the highest level of recognition that the Ministry of Defence awards to employers who champion the interests of the armed forces community. Gold status demonstrates that Barnet not only supports the Covenant in principle but actively promotes and upholds its values across council operations.
Armed Forces Day
Each year, Barnet marks Armed Forces Day as part of the national week of celebration and thanks. Events bring together veterans, serving personnel, community members, and council representatives to honour the contribution of the armed forces to national life. The council encourages all residents to participate in local commemorations and to show their support for the armed forces community.
National Context
The government’s Plan for Change has committed to the highest sustained real-terms defence spending increase since the Cold War, a new Defence Housing Strategy, and substantial new investment in veterans’ mental health and welfare. Barnet’s local work — through the Covenant, the Gold Award, and Armed Forces Day — ensures these national commitments are delivered in Barnet.
Read More
- Labour’s Plan for Change: National Security
- Barnet’s Armed Forces Covenant Pledge — GOV.UK
- Armed Forces Covenant Fund Projects
- Barnet Council
- Barnet Labour
- 74 Ways Barnet Labour Has Delivered