Armed Forces Bill (Committee of the Whole House)

On Tuesday (2 June 2026), the House of Commons considered aspects of the Armed Forces Bill. At a time of growing geopolitical instability, the Bill renews the nation’s commitment to those who serve.

The Government’s commitment to improving conditions for service personnel and their families through the creation of a new Defence Housing Service and a £9 billion investment programme to modernise military housing over the next decade. The Bill also supports the establishment of a publicly owned Defence Housing Service to manage military accommodation and oversee future housing development on surplus defence land.

The Bill also proposes the expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant beyond healthcare, housing and education to a wider range of public services. This will help ensure that Government departments, devolved administrations and local authorities properly consider the unique circumstances faced by serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The Bill also strengthens the Service Justice System through measures to improve protections for victims, enhance the powers of service police and courts, and improve the handling of offences such as domestic abuse, stalking, harassment and sexual misconduct.

In response to a more challenging security environment, the Bill introduces reforms to reserve service arrangements to improve readiness and mobilisation. These changes simplify reserve liability arrangements, raise certain recall age limits and support greater movement between regular and reserve service.

Opposition amendments to the Bill sought to introduce statutory provisions relating to the transfer of special educational needs plans, adoption and fostering arrangements, and NHS treatment pathways when service families relocate. While I recognise the importance of these issues, I agree with the Government that they are better addressed through practical reforms and guidance rather than primary legislation.

The House of Commons also considered amendments on the Defence Investment Plan, the European Convention on Human Rights and visa fees for dependents of current and former service personnel. In my view, the Government sufficiently addressed the issues they raised, and I believe it was right that these amendments were rejected.

The Government amendments to the Bill strengthen support for service personnel, veterans and their families. Together, these reforms represent a significant step forward in improving service life and ensuring that our Armed Forces are better prepared to meet future challenges.
The Bill will now proceed to its remaining stages through Parliament.

These are the amendments from the opposition:

Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 13  –  Ayes 80 Noes 298
Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 6    –  Ayes 99 Noes 371
Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 5    –  Ayes 170 Noes 301
Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 2    –  Ayes 171 Noes 302