British reservists prepare to join fight against Ebola

The first UK reserves are joining nearly 100 regulars as they prepare to travel to Sierra Leone to help tackle the Ebola outbreak. Both regular and reserve personnel from across the 3 services are... More information

AF QRA Force are "An impressive bunch"

As part of a wider tour of RAF sites in Scotland, the Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois spent a day at RAF Leuchars where the RAF’s 1 (Fighter) Squadron and 6 Squadron are based. During the visit to RAF air defence headquarters the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

The Minister is impressed

Mark Francois has visited RAF Halton, where the headquarters for the exercise is located, where he received a detailed update. While there the minister learned more about those participating, and the scope, complexities and massive scale of the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Defence Select Committee report into remotely piloted aircraft

A Defence Select Committee report published today says remotely piloted aircraft are an important military capability for the future. The rapid development of remotely piloted air systems by the UK armed forces over the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Apprenticeships available within the MoD

The Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force combined are the biggest providers of apprenticeships in the UK. Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois went to meet some of those on the scheme. Mark Francois spoke to young... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

UAS at RAF Waddington - Striking precisely at those who pose a risk

Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Francois toured RAF Waddington today to view the full scope of the UK’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) capability.  Mark Francois spoke to... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Armed Forces Minister meets personnel at RAF Odiham

The Rt Hon Mark Francois, Minister of State for the Armed Forces and Member of Parliament for Rayleigh and Wickford has visited RAF Odiham. Accompanied by Mr Damian Hinds MP, Member of Parliament for East Hampshire, the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

NEM consultation to close soon

The Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, launched a consultation exercise with all Service personnel and their families. It runs from Jun to... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Sitting opposite the Prime Minister and giving your views

The Director of the RAF Families Federation was at No 10 Downing Street yesterday for a meeting of the Home Affairs Sub-Committee on the Armed Forces Covenant. Prime Minister David Cameron joined other... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

NEM CONSULTATION - The biggest change to the RAF in a generation

The Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, has launched a consultation exercise with Service personnel and their families on the modernisation of terms and conditions of service through a New Employment Model (NEM). The main points: The consultation will run until... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

David Cameron views the housing situation at RAF Brize Norton

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, and Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Mark Francois have visited RAF Brize Norton with a particular interest in welfare and housing on the Unit. Following a brief... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Mental health support app for Service personnel (free)

A new iPhone app has been launched to provide serving Armed Forces personnel with mental health support and information. The app, called Joining Forces, is available to personnel all... More information If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Brand New Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp

The Defence Minister Mark Francois has announced that World War II war heroes who served on the Arctic Convoys and in Bomber Command will begin receiving brand new awards in recognition of their heroism and bravery within weeks. The new Arctic Star and Bomber Command clasp will be awarded a quarter of a million veterans, or their families, in recognition of the unique contribution they made in protecting Britain...More information »

From Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans

"...I am very conscious of the crucial role that the whole family – spouses, partners, parents, brothers, sisters and beyond - play in supporting our RAF Servicemen and women in doing their jobs...I am looking forward to doing everything I practically can to improve the lot of our service personnel and their families...I am firmly of the view that your Federation has a crucial role to play in representing the views of RAF families. It has a powerful voice that is genuinely listened to...Without your input, Bill Mahon and his team cannot be as effective...More information »

Brand new Discount Card for the Armed Forces

A new discount card, exclusively for members of the Armed Forces, their families and veterans, will be rolled out next week in time for money off Christmas gifts and everyday items, Defence Minister Mark Francois confirmed. The Prime Minister said: "It is fitting that the cards are launched in the year that the military have done so much for our country, not just abroad but here in the UK, showing the very best of British...More information »

In with the Minister

Together with his counterparts at the Navy and Army Federations, the Director RAF Families Federation, Bill Mahon, met with Mr Mark Francois, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, to discuss current and potential future issues and concerns held by Service personnel and their families. Spoken about were: Housing; that RAF personnel and their families are still hurting from all the recent upheaval and uncertainty; The Armed Forces Covenant; the New Employment Model (NEM) and that the RAF Families Federation have been asked to take an advisory role in NEM from the outset...More information »

More 'good ideas' receive Covenant money from the MoD

More communities across the country are coming up with innovative ideas and initiatives to improve the lives of Service personnel and their families. Launching the next set of Community Covenant Grant projects, Mark Francois confirmed the MoD would give £1.3m to communities across the country - funding 36 new projects. This brings the total MoD spend on the Community Covenant Grant Scheme to £5m...More information »

A Reshuffle for the MoD

In the Government reshuffle the Prime Minister's Office has announced a change to the ministerial team at the MoD. Under the Sec of State for Defence, The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP now sit two Ministers of State: Rt Hon Andrew Robathan MP and Rt Hon Mark Francois MP. There are now three Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State - Dr Andrew Murrison MP, Philip Dunne MP and Lord Astor of Hever DL...More information »