Reading Signs its Armed Forces Covenant

Reading’s Armed Forces Covenant was signed this week by the Council and Headquarters Company 7^th Battalion The Rifles regiment, in recognition of the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces.

Signed by Reading Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Graeme Hoskin, and Major Ian Page, the Officer Commanding of HQ Company 7 Rifles, the Covenant is a promise of fair treatment and access to essential public services – such as housing, education and healthcare – for past and present members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Watching the short ceremony at Brock Barracks on Monday (28 Sep) were the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Paul Gittings,  and one of the Council’s current Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.

The signing marks the renewal of Reading’s previous Armed Forces Community Covenant which was first signed back in 2012.  It follows the Ministry of Defence (MOD) encouraging councils to sign the ‘new’ Covenant, following the merger of two previously separate elements - the Community and Corporate Covenants.

According to the 2021 Census, there are over 3,500 residents in Reading who have previously served in the Armed Forces, including a large local ex-Gurkha population. At the 2025/26 autumn school census, there were 63 children from Service families in Reading schools. The Council has helped 25 Veterans into housing via its Housing Register since 2011.

Alongside pledging to demonstrate support for the town’s Armed Forces Community, Covenant signatories must also include several local pledges. In Reading, the Council’s pledges include offering additional leave to Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to help them carry out their training requirements, and offering Veterans seeking employment a guaranteed interview. The Council also continues to support 7 Rifles and local Armed Forces charities through regular meetings of the Reading Armed Forces Partnership and events such as Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, and Remembrance activities.

Forming part of the Covenant, the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme additionally recognises a signatory’s commitment to supporting its local Armed Forces community through its bronze, silver, and gold awards. The Council is currently a bronze award holder and aspires to achieve the silver award in 2027.

Reading Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Hoskin, said:

“The signing of the Covenant marks the Council’s on-going commitment to supporting our local Armed Forces community here in Reading. The sacrifices made by residents who played their part in defending our country, as well as their families, is always at the forefront of our minds. It is fitting that we do everything in our power to ensure that is recognised by the Council, whether in making local policy decisions, through offering Reservists or Cadet Force Adult Volunteers time off to carry out their duties, or offering Veterans a guaranteed interview if they apply for work.”