The Armed Forces Covenant is being inconsistently applied in different areas of the country and when military personnel move into a new area, according to MPs.
The covenant is intended to ensure that former and serving members of the Armed Forces and their families are not disadvantaged as a result of service life, but the Commons’ Defence Committee found some members of the community are missing out on vital support.
It has called for the legal duty to give due regard to military service to be expanded to central government departments and the devolved administrations.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Councils are committed to supporting the Armed Forces communities through the covenant, meeting veterans’ needs and ensuring they have access to housing, health and community services.
“It is positive this report recognises the role of councils and the need to co-design any changes to legislation with local authorities. It is important councils are consulted on any changes.
“However, councils need to be adequately funded in the Spending Review so they can provide the resources to help support our veterans, in particular should councils be given additional duties.”