Armed Forces Commissioner Bill Report Stage

On 21 January 2025 the House met at report stage to debate the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill. The  Bill will establish the role and functions of the Armed Forces Commissioner and to provide them with the powers and duties required to carry out those functions, strengthening support for Armed Forces communities and improving service life. There were three amendments moved by the opposition:

Amendment 9 – The amendment would enable the Commissioner to include matters relating to pensions and other such benefits, including death in service benefits, in their investigation of service welfare matters.  Ayes 192, Noes 338

Amendment 10 – This amendment would enable the Commissioner to include matters relating to the wellbeing of, and provision of support to, the children, families and other dependants of serving and former members of the armed forces in the Commissioner’s investigation of service welfare matters.  Ayes 191, Noes 338

Amendment 2 would require the Commissioner to take specific action to consider and address welfare issues facing service personnel from minority groups. Ayes 76, Noes 349

The Bill was then read for the third time and passed without a division.