“This is a positive step for those leaving the Armed Forces, as well as employers who have a lot to gain from hiring ex-Service personnel. Studies show that organizations, especially those that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, benefit significantly from the extra value ex-Service personnel bring, not just in recruitment and retention, but also reputationally.

“Following the Government’s earlier announcement that ex-Service personnel will be guaranteed interviews when applying for civil service roles in certain departments, this demonstrates a further commitment to providing support for those who have served our country as they move into civilian life.

“We continue to work with partners such as X-Forces Enterprise to ensure that ex-Service personnel achieve sustainable, secure and satisfying employment, and for employers, in particular SMEs, to be able to better connect with the skills and experience of ex-Service personnel and their families. We also look forward to continuing to work with the Government on further measures to support ex-Service personnel and their families.

In October 2019, the Forces in Mind Trust published a Policy Statement on Employment which can be found here.