Peterborough City Council has demonstrated its support for the Armed Forces community by revalidating its Gold award in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Employer Recognition Scheme.
The authority works in close partnership on support work for the Armed Forces Community through the Armed Forces Covenant which is a promise between the nation, the government and the Armed Forces community, ensuring that those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged by their service.
As a result of the council’s efforts, it has achieved a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award from the Ministry of Defence. This was successfully revalidated in December 2025 which will last for the next five years.
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) acknowledges employers that provide exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and Defence by going above and beyond their Covenant pledges.
Through a three-tier approach of bronze, silver and gold awards, the scheme recognises the progressive levels of commitment provided by employers. This allows the Ministry of Defence to publicly thank and honour those organisations for their support.
Gold awards, the highest accolade within the scheme, are bestowed to organisations meeting the most demanding criteria including demonstrating their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruitment policies and making their workforce aware of positive policies towards defence people issues, as well as supporting mobilisations of reservist staff members and support for service spouses and partners, and the cadet movement.
Peterborough City Council employs several staff who have connections to the Armed Forces and has an active Armed Forces Community focussed working group that manages the council’s action plan and organises several supportive events, such as Armed Forces Day and various celebrations for the Armed Forces Community and wider public.
The council signed the shared Community Covenant for Peterborough back in 2013 and is on track to refresh their commitment with a new covenant signing this year.
The authority is also an active member of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board, which coordinates and supports the covenant support work across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
Councillor Jason McNally, the council's Armed Forces Champion, said: “I am so proud that we have achieved such a prestigious award, it’s a big feather in our cap and testament to the hard work and dedication of many people.
“The Armed Forces are very close to my heart having served as a Soldier for the British Army and I’m passionate about supporting the defence community so they can continue their sterling work all over the world. I’m proud to work for an organisation like Peterborough City Council which shares my admiration and respect for them."