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Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025

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Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025

2025 Chapter 23

An Act to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; and for connected purposes.

Enacted [3rd September 2025]
Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Armed Forces Commissioner

I11 Armed Forces Commissioner

I411 After section 365A of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (referred to in this Act as “AFA 2006”) insert—
I482 The office of Service Complaints Ombudsman is abolished.
I483 Accordingly, omit section 365B of AFA 2006 (and the italic heading before it).
I414 Schedule 1 inserts Schedule 14ZA to AFA 2006 and makes amendments of other legislation related to the establishment of the Armed Forces Commissioner.

Service complaints

I2I492 Commissioner’s functions in relation to service complaints

The functions of the Service Complaints Ombudsman under Part 14A of AFA 2006 (redress of service complaints) become functions of the Armed Forces Commissioner.

I33 Procedure for making service complaints

In section 340B of AFA 2006 (procedure for making a complaint etc)—
a in subsection (2)(a) for “an officer” substitute “a person”;
b in subsection (4), in each of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), for “officer” substitute “person”.

General service welfare

I4I504 Commissioner’s functions in relation to general service welfare

1 AFA 2006 is amended as follows.
2 After section 340I insert—
3 After section 340L insert—
4 In section 340O (annual report on system for dealing with service complaints)—
a in the heading, for “on system for dealing with service complaints” substitute “of Armed Forces Commissioner”;
b after subsection (2) insert—
5 In section 373 (orders, regulations and rules), in subsection (3) after paragraph (eb) insert—
.

I5I755 Consequential amendments

Schedule 2 contains amendments that are consequential on this Act.

Final provisions

I66 Extent

1 This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, subject as follows.
2 Paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 (and section 1(4), so far as it relates to that paragraph), so far as they insert paragraph 1 of Schedule 14ZA to AFA 2006 (status of Armed Forces Commissioner as corporation sole), extend to England and Wales and Northern Ireland only.
3 Any other amendment or repeal made by this Act has the same extent within the United Kingdom as the provision amended or repealed.
4 His Majesty may by Order in Council provide for any provision of this Act to extend, with or without modifications, to a territory mentioned in subsection (5).
5 The territories are—
a any of the Channel Islands;
b the Isle of Man;
c any of the British overseas territories, except Gibraltar.

I77 Commencement

1 The following provisions come into force on the day on which this Act is passed—
a section 6;
b this section;
c section 8.
2 The remaining provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint.
3 The Secretary of State may by regulations make transitional, transitory or saving provision in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.
4 Regulations under this section—
a are to be made by statutory instrument;
b may make different provision for different purposes.

I88 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025.

Schedules

Schedule 1 

Armed Forces Commissioner

Section 1

I9I421 Armed Forces Commissioner

After Schedule 14 to AFA 2006 insert—

I10I432 Other amendments

In paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (establishments and organisations whose records are public records), in Part 2 of the Table, at the appropriate place insert—
I11I443In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (other disqualifying offices), at the appropriate place insert—
I12I454In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (other disqualifying offices), at the appropriate place insert—
I13I465In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (public authorities), at the appropriate place insert—
I14I476In Part 1 of Schedule 19 to the Equality Act 2010 (public authorities), under the heading “Armed forces”, at the appropriate place insert—

Schedule 2 

Consequential amendments

Section 5

I15I691 Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970

In section 6A of the Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 (c. 32 (N.I.)), in subsection (5A)(b)—
a in sub-paragraph (i) for “Service Complaints Ombudsman” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner”;
b in sub-paragraph (ii) for “Ombudsman” substitute “Commissioner”.

I16I662 House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975

In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, omit the entry relating to the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

I17I703 Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976

In Article 82 of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (S.I. 1976/1042 (N.I. 15)), in paragraph (9BA)(b)—
a in head (i) for “Service Complaints Ombudsman” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner”;
b in head (ii) for “Ombudsman” substitute “Commissioner”.

I18I714 Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

In Article 71 of the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (S.I. 1997/869 (N.I. 6)), in paragraph (8A)(b)—
a in head (i) for “Service Complaints Ombudsman” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner”;
b in head (ii) for “Ombudsman” substitute “Commissioner”.

I19I725 Working Time Regulations 1998

In regulation 38 of the Working Time Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1833), in paragraph (3)(c)—
a in paragraph (i) for “Service Complaints Ombudsman” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner”;
b in paragraph (ii) for “Ombudsman” substitute “Commissioner”.

I20I676 Freedom of Information Act 2000

In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, omit the entry relating to the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

I21I737 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

In regulation 43 of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R. (N.I.) 2003 No. 497), in paragraph (8)(c)—
a in head (i) for “Service Complaints Ombudsman” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner”;
b in head (ii) for “Ombudsman” substitute “Commissioner”.

Armed Forces Act 2006

I22I768AFA 2006 is amended as follows.
I23I519For the heading of Part 14A substitute “Addressing service complaints and general service welfare matters”.
I24I5210In each of the following places, for “Service Complaints Ombudsman” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner”
a section 340B(4)(b);
b section 340D(6)(a) and (aa);
c section 340G(3)(a);
d the italic heading before section 340H;
e in section 340H—
i subsection (1);
ii subsection (9C)(a) and (b);
f section 340I(1);
g section 340J(1);
h section 340L(1);
i section 340M(1)(b);
j section 340N(1);
k the italic heading before section 340O;
l section 340O(1).
I25I5311In each of the following places, for “Ombudsman” substitute “Commissioner”
a section 340D(6)(b);
b in section 340H—
i the heading;
ii subsection (1) (in the second, third and fourth places);
iii subsection (3)(a)(i);
iv subsection (4) (in both places);
v subsection (7);
vi subsection (8);
vii subsection (10);
viii subsection (11) (in both places);
c in section 340I—
i the heading;
ii subsection (3);
iii subsection (4) (in both places);
iv subsection (5)(a);
v subsection (6) (in both places);
d section 340J(2);
e section 340K(2);
f in section 340L—
i subsection (2)(a), (b) and (c);
ii subsection (3) (in each place);
iii subsection (5);
iv subsection (6) (in both places);
g section 340M(1)(c);
h in section 340N—
i subsection (1) (in the second and third places);
ii subsection (2);
iii subsection (4)(a);
i in section 340O—
i subsection (2)(b) and (c);
ii subsection (3);
iii subsection (6).
I26I5412In each of the following places, for “Ombudsman’s” substitute “Commissioner’s”
a section 340B(4)(c);
b section 340G(3)(b);
c section 340K(4)(a);
d in section 340L—
i subsection (1)(a);
ii subsection (2)(a), (b) and (c);
iii subsection (4);
e in section 340O—
i subsection (2)(b);
ii subsection (6)(b).
I27I5513In the italic heading before section 340H, at the end insert “of service complaints”.
I28I5614In the heading of section 340H, at the end insert “of service complaints”.
I29I5715In section 340I—
a in the heading, at the end insert “of service complaints”;
b in each of subsections (1), (2) and (3), after “investigation” insert “under section 340H”.
I30I5816Before section 340J insert—
.
I31I5917In section 340J(1), after “investigation” insert “under section 340H or 340IA”.
I32I6018In section 340K(1)(a), after “investigation” insert “under section 340H or 340IA”.
I33I6119In each of the following places, for “Service Complaints Ombudsman’s” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner’s”
a section 340K(1)(a);
b the italic heading before section 340N.
I34I6220In section 340L—
a in the heading, at the end insert “: service complaints investigations”;
b in subsection (1), after “investigation” insert “under section 340H”.
I35I6321In the heading of section 340M, at the end insert “under section 340L”.
I3622In section 340N—
a in subsection (1)—
i in the words before paragraph (a), after “the communication” insert “(“P”)”;
ii in each of paragraphs (a) and (b), for “his or her” substitute “P’s”;
iii in paragraph (b), for “the person” substitute “P”;
iv in the words after paragraph (b), for “officer” substitute “person”;
b in subsection (2)—
i for “officer”, in each place, substitute “person”;
ii for “by the person” substitute “by P”;
c in subsection (3)—
i in the words before paragraph (a), for “officer” substitute “person”;
ii in each of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), for “the person” substitute “P”.
I37I6423In section 340O(3), for “the report” substitute “a report under subsection (1)”.
I38I6524In section 374 omit the definition of “the Service Complaints Ombudsman”.

I39I6825 Equality Act 2010

In section 121 of the Equality Act 2010, in subsection (2)(b)—
a in sub-paragraph (i) for “Service Complaints Ombudsman” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner”;
b in sub-paragraph (ii) for “Ombudsman” substitute “Commissioner”.

I40I7426 Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

In regulation 49 of the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. (N.I.) 2016 No. 49), in paragraph (3)(c)—
a in head (i) for “Service Complaints Ombudsman” substitute “Armed Forces Commissioner”;
b in head (ii) for “Ombudsman” substitute “Commissioner”.

Footnotes

  1. I1
    S. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  2. I2
    S. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  3. I3
    S. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  4. I4
    S. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  5. I5
    S. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  6. I6
    S. 6 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(1)(a)
  7. I7
    S. 7 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(1)(b)
  8. I8
    S. 8 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(1)(c)
  9. I9
    Sch. 1 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  10. I10
    Sch. 1 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  11. I11
    Sch. 1 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  12. I12
    Sch. 1 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  13. I13
    Sch. 1 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  14. I14
    Sch. 1 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  15. I15
    Sch. 2 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  16. I16
    Sch. 2 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  17. I17
    Sch. 2 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  18. I18
    Sch. 2 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  19. I19
    Sch. 2 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  20. I20
    Sch. 2 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  21. I21
    Sch. 2 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  22. I22
    Sch. 2 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  23. I23
    Sch. 2 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  24. I24
    Sch. 2 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  25. I25
    Sch. 2 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  26. I26
    Sch. 2 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  27. I27
    Sch. 2 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  28. I28
    Sch. 2 para. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  29. I29
    Sch. 2 para. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  30. I30
    Sch. 2 para. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  31. I31
    Sch. 2 para. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  32. I32
    Sch. 2 para. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  33. I33
    Sch. 2 para. 19 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  34. I34
    Sch. 2 para. 20 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  35. I35
    Sch. 2 para. 21 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  36. I36
    Sch. 2 para. 22 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  37. I37
    Sch. 2 para. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  38. I38
    Sch. 2 para. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  39. I39
    Sch. 2 para. 25 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  40. I40
    Sch. 2 para. 26 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 7(2)
  41. I41
    S. 1(1)(4) in force at 2.3.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, reg. 3(a) (with reg. 5)
  42. I42
    Sch. 1 para. 1 in force at 2.3.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
  43. I43
    Sch. 1 para. 2 in force at 2.3.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
  44. I44
    Sch. 1 para. 3 in force at 2.3.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
  45. I45
    Sch. 1 para. 4 in force at 2.3.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
  46. I46
    Sch. 1 para. 5 in force at 2.3.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
  47. I47
    Sch. 1 para. 6 in force at 2.3.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, reg. 3(b) (with reg. 5)
  48. I48
    S. 1(2)(3) in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(a) (with reg. 5)
  49. I49
    S. 2 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(b) (with reg. 5)
  50. I50
    S. 4 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(c) (with reg. 5)
  51. I51
    Sch. 2 para. 9 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  52. I52
    Sch. 2 para. 10 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  53. I53
    Sch. 2 para. 11 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  54. I54
    Sch. 2 para. 12 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  55. I55
    Sch. 2 para. 13 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  56. I56
    Sch. 2 para. 14 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  57. I57
    Sch. 2 para. 15 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  58. I58
    Sch. 2 para. 16 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  59. I59
    Sch. 2 para. 17 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  60. I60
    Sch. 2 para. 18 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  61. I61
    Sch. 2 para. 19 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  62. I62
    Sch. 2 para. 20 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  63. I63
    Sch. 2 para. 21 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  64. I64
    Sch. 2 para. 23 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  65. I65
    Sch. 2 para. 24 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  66. I66
    Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  67. I67
    Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  68. I68
    Sch. 2 para. 25 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  69. I69
    Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  70. I70
    Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  71. I71
    Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  72. I72
    Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  73. I73
    Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  74. I74
    Sch. 2 para. 26 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)
  75. I75
    S. 5 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(d) (with reg. 5)
  76. I76
    Sch. 2 para. 8 in force at 1.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/14, regs. 2, 4(e) (with reg. 5)