The government is expected to back an expansion of the cadet corps in schools and an Armed Forces Day as part of moves to boost support for UK forces.
The government is expected to back a proposal for an Armed Forces Day and an expansion of the cadet corps in schools to boost support for UK forces.
It is due to publish a report by MP Quentin Davies, which recommends more state school pupils are given the chance to join the cadets.
It is due to publish a report by MP Quentin Davies, which recommends more state school pupils are given the chance to join the cadets.
An annual Armed Forces Day will also be backed to encourage the public to show their support for the British military.
An annual Armed Forces Day will also be backed to encourage the public to show their support for the British military.
The Conservatives say the government has taken on many of their ideas.
The Conservatives say the government has taken on many of their ideas.
Mr Davies, a former Tory MP who defected to Labour last year, conducted a review of the nation's "recognition" of the armed forces to find ways of making the public more aware of the role they play.
Mr Davies, a former Tory MP who defected to Labour last year, conducted a review of the nation's "recognition" of the armed forces to find ways of making the public more aware of the role they play.
Families' support
Families' support
The government believes gaining a better understanding of the military should start in schools and wants to offer more state pupils the opportunity to get involved with the army cadets.
The government believes gaining a better understanding of the military should start in schools and wants to offer more state pupils the opportunity to get involved with the army cadets.
There are currently 60 cadet forces in comprehensive schools in England and Wales, compared with 200 in grammar and independent schools.
There are currently 60 cadet forces in comprehensive schools in England and Wales, compared with 200 in grammar and independent schools.
The review also recommends an annual Armed Forces Day - an idea Prime Minister Gordon Brown indicated he supported in a letter seen by a Sunday newspaper last month.
The review also recommends an annual Armed Forces Day - an idea Prime Minister Gordon Brown indicated he supported in a letter seen by a Sunday newspaper last month.
The idea for such a day has already won support from senior military commanders and some families of service personnel killed in war.
The idea for such a day has already won support from senior military commanders and some families of service personnel killed in war.
Leading football clubs are expected to be called on to host parades by troops as part of the plans.
Leading football clubs are expected to be called on to host parades by troops as part of the plans.
Uniforms
Uniforms
Mr Davies' review also recommends that servicemen and women are encouraged to wear their uniforms while off-duty.
Mr Davies' review also recommends that servicemen and women are encouraged to wear their uniforms while off-duty.
It follows reports in March that personnel at RAF Wittering, near Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, were advised by senior base personnel not to wear their uniforms in public for fear of verbal abuse from members of the public opposed to Britain's involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It follows reports in March that personnel at RAF Wittering, near Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, were advised by senior base personnel not to wear their uniforms in public for fear of verbal abuse from members of the public opposed to Britain's involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The prime minister condemned the move, saying members of the armed forces should be "encouraged to wear their uniform in public and have the respect and gratitude of the British people".
The prime minister condemned the move, saying members of the armed forces should be "encouraged to wear their uniform in public and have the respect and gratitude of the British people".
The Ministry of Defence previously said Mr Davies had been asked by Defence Secretary Des Browne to conduct his review "to see how we can encourage the nation to show appropriate recognition for the work of the armed services".
The Ministry of Defence previously said Mr Davies had been asked by Defence Secretary Des Browne to conduct his review "to see how we can encourage the nation to show appropriate recognition for the work of the armed services".
Last year, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the Army, expressed concerns about a "growing gulf between the Army and the nation".
Last year, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the Army, expressed concerns about a "growing gulf between the Army and the nation".
He suggested that work carried out by troops - and the sacrifices that form an integral part of their job - were not being acknowledged.
He suggested that work carried out by troops - and the sacrifices that form an integral part of their job - were not being acknowledged.
In September last year, Conservative leader David Cameron proposed setting up a voluntary "citizen service" programme for 16-year-olds, which he saw as a 21st Century version of National Service.
In September last year, Conservative leader David Cameron proposed setting up a voluntary "citizen service" programme for 16-year-olds, which he saw as a 21st Century version of National Service.
He said it would boost participants' pride in themselves and in Britain.
He said it would boost participants' pride in themselves and in Britain.
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