We count on them, count them in

Ceredigion Armed Forces Community Covenant (CAFCC) is supporting The Royal British Legion as it calls for Government and Parliament to ensure that the next UK Census includes new questions on the Armed Forces community – to help the nation better understand and respond to the needs of the people that protect us, veterans  and their families.

It is estimated that there are currently between 6.5 million and 6.7 million members of the Armed Forces community living in the UK, representing about a tenth of the population. Yet little is known about the exact numbers, location and needs of this significant group.

Speaking at the CAFCC meeting on Monday 23 May, the Chair of CAFCC and Councillor Paul Hinge, Armed Forces Champion for Ceredigion County Council said: “We as a Covenant are delighted to support this campaign, we have been asking for this addition in the Census for many years, as its very important to know how many armed forces veterans we have in in the country so that we can support their needs fully in future.”

The #CountThemIn campaign calls for the Armed Forces community to be recorded in the next UK Census and is being launched on the fifth anniversary of the Armed Forces Covenant being published. This new information would help ensure that public bodies and charities are able to deliver the best services they can for our Armed Forces community, and in doing so fulfil the Covenant promise that no one should face disadvantage as a result of their Service.

For more information about the campaign please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/census

The Covenant is made up of the following public and private service providers:
Ceredigion County Council
Change Step
Royal British Legion
DWP
First Choice Housing Association
Listen In
West Wales Domestic Abuse Service