Overview

This bill mandates the creation of a National Defence Medal to be awarded to eligible members of the UK Armed Forces. The medal recognizes service members who met specific criteria based on their length of service and enlistment dates.

Description

The National Defence Medal Act 2015 establishes a new medal for eligible personnel in the UK Armed Forces. Eligibility is determined by several factors:

• Regular Forces: Personnel in paid, effective military service with the regular forces (Royal Navy, Royal Marines, regular army, Royal Air Force) on 1 May 2015, who completed two years of service and enlisted on or before 2 May 2013.
• Reserve Forces: Personnel in effective military service with the reserve forces (Royal Fleet Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, Army Reserve, Territorial Army, Royal Air Force Reserve, Royal Auxiliary Air Force) on 1 May 2015, who completed two annual bounty-earning training years (one being 2014-2015) and enlisted on or before 2 May 2013.
• Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS): Members whose paid service equates to two years.
• Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Contracted personnel in service on 1 May 2015 who completed two years of service.
• Past Service: Anyone who served in any of the above forces for a minimum of two years is also eligible.

The Secretary of State will determine the medal's design through regulations laid before and approved by Parliament.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify the cost of producing and distributing the medals. The financial impact on government spending would depend on the number of medals produced and the cost of materials and distribution.

Groups Affected

• Eligible Armed Forces Personnel: These individuals will receive the medal, potentially impacting morale and recognition of their service.
• The Ministry of Defence: Responsible for the medal's design, production, and distribution, incurring associated costs.
• Medal Manufacturers: Companies contracted to produce the medals will experience increased business.

Powered by nyModel