Portsmouth wins gold standard for veterans

21 Mar 2026

Portsmouth is flying the flag for Britain’s heroes after being crowned one of the very best councils in the country for looking after veterans.

The Lib Dem-led City Council has struck GOLD, landing top-tier status as an Armed Forces Covenant employer — a badge of honour given to organisations that go the extra mile for those who’ve served.

And now the city’s success story is going national. Portsmouth is set to host the National Armed Forces Covenant Conference, with councils from across the UK heading to the South Coast to learn how it’s done. Former Royal Navy veteran Steve Andrews said the award was a matter of huge pride — and hard work.

POMPEY SALUTES ITS HEROES!

“Getting Gold status for our Armed Forces Covenant is something we are incredibly proud of. Lib Dem councillors have made sure that forces veterans are at the heart of the council’s housing policy. That doesn’t happen in most councils — but here in Portsmouth, they take the care of veterans really seriously.”

With Gold on the table and the nation watching, Portsmouth has made one thing clear: when it comes to backing our veterans, this city leads from the front.

Gerald Vernon Jackson and Sir Tony Radakin signing the Portsmouth Military Covenant in 2012 — Former Armed Forces champion Gerald Vernon-Jackson and Naval Base Commander Sir Tony Radakin signed the Portsmouth Military Covenant in 2012

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