Highest honour for West Suffolk’s support for UK Armed Forces

17 Jul 2026

West Suffolk Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces including veterans, reservist, military spouses and cadets, has seen it awarded a special status.

The council has been awarded Gold Armed Forces employer recognition scheme Status for its work to ensure those who serve are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their day-to-day-lives.

The Gold status is the highest honour that an employer can achieve under the pledge.

As well as signing the Armed Forces Covenant and advocating for defence, employers also need to provide at least 10 days of additional paid leave for reservists and implement supportive HR policies for veterans, reservists, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.

Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities, said: “We and our communities are proud of all who have served and who all who continue to serve in the Armed Forces. We recognise the sacrifices they have made and their courage in defence of our freedoms.

“We have a proud and strong association with the UK Armed Forces in West Suffolk including with the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, with the service personnel at RAF Honington, the 3rd Regiment Army Air Corps at nearby Wattisham while we also share an affiliation with HMS Vengeance.

“While the Armed Forces Covenant recognises our support of those who have served or serve with the UK Armed Forces, we also continue to have strong ties with the two American bases at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, both of which are part of our communities across West Suffolk.

“We are delighted to have been recognised with gold status. West Suffolk is the first council in Suffolk to achieve this recognition. It’s a badge of honour to our continuing support for our military personnel, their spouses, veterans, reservists and cadets. It’s our promise to them that we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives.

“For all they have done and are continuing to do, thank you."

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