Cheshire East Council supports ‘Credit Their Service’ campaign

3 December 2024

Cheshire East Council has announced support for the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) ‘Credit Their Service’ campaign. 

This initiative aims to ensure that military compensation is not treated as income when calculating eligibility for benefits such as housing benefit and council tax support.

By backing this campaign, the council joins a growing number of local authorities committed to recognising the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces personnel and their families.

Councillor Michael Gorman, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “We are proud to support the ‘Credit Their Service’ campaign. 

“Our Armed Forces personnel put their lives on the line to protect our country, and it is only right that we support them when they return to civilian life. 

“By treating military compensation fairly, we can help to alleviate financial hardship for our veterans and their families.”

The RBL’s ‘Credit Their Service’ campaign calls for a more equitable approach to benefits assessment, ensuring that military compensation is treated in the same way as civilian compensation. This change would significantly benefit many veterans who are struggling to make ends meet.

Hannah Pearce, director of campaigns, policy and research at RBL, said “We want to thank Cheshire East Council for working with us and doing the right thing by veterans and the whole Armed Forces community. 

“The majority of councils in Great Britain have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and this is a really good example of the tangible difference councils can make to some of the poorest veterans in their community.” 

Having been awarded the prestigious Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award in August, the council is firmly committed to supporting its Armed Forces community. 

For more information on Cheshire East Council's initiatives supporting the Armed Forces community, please visit the council's Armed Forces page on the website.