ST HELENS Council has outlined its new policy which aims to support staff who are in the armed forces

The local authority has unveiled a new Armed Forces and Reservist employment policy which sets out the support and help it is offering to staff who also serve for this country.

It was previously reported that a guaranteed interview scheme had been launched for veterans by the local authority.

The council has set out that the policy covers reservists, cadet forces volunteers, veterans and the families of those who are in the Armed Forces and brings together many policies offering support under one document.

It includes guaranteed interviews for adult volunteers involved with cadet forces, reservists and veterans, up to 10 days additional paid leave for reservists and cadet force volunteers and unlimited unpaid leave for reservists who are serving for the country.

The policy also encourages special consideration to be given for those whose partners, parents or children of service men and women should they need it due to their role in the Armed Forces.

Cllr Lynn Clarke, cabinet member for better neighbourhoods and the council's armed forces champion, said: “We have always offered our full support to our Armed Forces family so it’s really exciting to introduce this new policy which shows our commitment to helping those who serve, have family who serve or are veterans.

"We have worked with our partners to bring this to life and it continues the good work being done through the Armed Forces Covenant to support the Armed Forces community in our borough.”

Captain Harry Smedley, from the 103 Regiment based at Jubilee Barracks on Prescot Road, added: “We get masses of support from St Helens Council for our Armed Forces family. This new policy extends the support from the council and it is clear the help they can receive from the council.”

  • Anyone who is in the armed forces or has a relative who is, can visit sthelens.gov.uk and search St Helens Armed Forces to find out about the support available.