The first (interim) annual review of the Armed Forces Covenant was published today with a ministerial statement buried in a heap of other parliamentary business.

Much has been made of the covenant in recent years - conflicts have concentrated minds about the 'contract' that exists between a nation and its armed forces - and what they can expect from each other.

Today's three page report makes one announcement, gives a few details, and raises many more questions than it ultimately answers.

But then, for all the rhetoric from politicians about the bravery of troops and the nation's duty to them, the covenant has been a thorn in their side ever since General Richard Dannatt started haranguing ministers about it when he was Chief of the General Staff.

Labour didn't enshrine it in law, and the coalition didn't want to either - despite David Cameron's pledge to do so.

The government U-turned because of the pressure brought to bear by the Royal British Legion, which has proved itself a remarkably effective lobby group in the last nine months- one that Downing Street has obviously come to fear.

The legion campaigned to get the core principles of the covenant put in law, and persuaded the government to keep plans to appoint a Chief Coroner.

This should help bereaved families as they go through the inquest process - something that can be unnecessarily painful.

When the legion says that turning the principles of the covenant into real help will require "constant vigilance", it probably means vigilance from politicians who talk the talk, and then try to sweep the whole issue under the carpet.

The statement itself is only three pages long - you can read it here.

It says that progress has been made over the last 18 months and cites examples. They include - doubling the tax free operational allowance to just over £5,000 for a six month tour; improvements in mental health care provision; and scholarships for children who have lost a parent in service.

A new ministerial committee, led by Oliver Letwin, will be set up to make sure the covenant is being applied across government departments.

As the defence select committee made clear last week with its report on military casualties, the need for long term physical and psychological care for veterans is going to increase over the coming years, in part because medics in the military have managed to save so many lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The injured and maimed have come home - and they are going to need help.

In his response to the report, Chris Simpkins, director general of the legion, makes you realise how far there is to go on many fronts.

"Action is now needed to address how the principle of special treatment can help those wounded or injured in the defence of our country; to improve support for reservists, who will have an increasingly significant role, and their families; and to recognise the needs of veterans by creating a complaints body or process for them, such as serving personnel already have.
"We welcome the commitment to create a Ministerial Committee to champion Covenant issues. It is vital that all parts of Government and the public sector, as well as Service charities, continue to work to ensure the principles of the Covenant improve the day-to-day experiences of our brave Service men and women and their families. The Legion, as well as Parliament itself, will continue to hold the Government to account on this."

Bearing in mind the government's U-turns on this over the year, Philip Hammond's statement might seem a bit of cheek.

"The interim report shows the hard work the Government has put into delivering its promises to troops both at home and those deployed on operations. However the work will not stop there, as even more effort is being put into delivering support for our service personnel to ensure they are not disadvantaged in any way by their military service."

Labour's shadow Jim Murphy response was light on detail too.

"This self congratulatory report misses out the fact that the Services have been subject to a triple whammy of cuts to pay, pensions and allowances which has deeply hurt Forces and their families' living standards and morale. Our Forces will judge Ministers on actions, not warm words."