West Dunbartonshire Council has received the highest award for their commitment in supporting employees connected to the armed forces and their families.

Since signing the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2016, the council has worked to establish and strengthen their commitment across all services to support the work and lives of the armed forces community, with particular focus on reservists, service leavers, service spouses and their families.

Their recent Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award was awarded to them by the Ministry of Defence.

The councils work involves raising awareness and providing practical support to employees with military links providing employment support, flexible working and supporting reservists with their training, deployment and demobilisation needs.

Provost William Hendrie, Armed Forces Champion, said: “We are honoured to receive this award. We have been committed for many years to our employees in the services, both past and present, and to be recognised by the Ministry of Defence is a wonderful indication that we are ensuring our employees and their families have access to dedicated support and initiatives including education, housing and employment support.”