Speak up NOW for better Pay, Allowances and Charges

Each year, the AFPRB recommends the remuneration package for the year ahead; they are currently gathering evidence to inform the SoS for Defence for Apr 12 onwards. For those currently affected by the 2-year pay freeze (all those earning more than £21k pa) you may feel such effort is nugatory, but the AFPRB also recommends accommodation and food charges as well as the level of certain allowances, many of which affect a large percentage of those serving. In any event, the AFPRB have expressed a strong desire to 'hear it like it is' during these particularly lean years and it is all the more important that we let them know how RAF families are affected by the economic climate and the on-going pressures of RAF life. The RAF Families Federation is invited to give formal evidence to the AFPRB, both in writing and during an oral evidence session, in Oct 11. To ensure we are representing accurately and independently the views of RAF family members, both serving and non-serving, please take a few minutes to complete the RAF FF online surveys...More information »

This Mornings News Furore

This mornings news furore on the crisis of morale within the Armed Forces was sparked by the Royal British Legion's accusation that the Government had reneged on the Military Covenant. The Army Families Federation Chief Exec then took up the mantle to talk about CEA (Board) and the results of their own survey on the subject widening it in some interviews to represent wide dissatisfaction and low morale...More information »

Allowances - Giving the Federation Line...

The shake up to the allowances paid to servicemen and women announced are designed to save more than a hundred million pounds from the MoD budget. Dawn McCafferty, Chairman of the RAF Families Federation, in an interview with Richard Hutchinson on BFBS Radio, gives her reaction to the changes and who they will hit the hardest...More information »

"Where it Hits, It Will Hurt"

Dawn McCafferty, Chairman of the RAF FF, said of yesterdays Allowances Review, "On the up side, in all honesty, not as draconian as we had feared but still a sharp intake of breath for some, particularly those who claim a combination of effected allowances, those in London, and those serving overseas on a permanent basis. But this is going to hit some harder than others and where it hits, it will hurt. Depending on individual circumstances, these cuts may well make the difference between a junior Serviceperson and his/her family 'just getting by' and tipping over into debt and financial crisis, particularly if they have children and the partner does not work. When combined with a 2-year pay freeze, the increase in VAT, soaring fuel prices, base closures and a forthcoming redundancy programme, these cuts will convince many Service personnel and their families that they are not valued and that their quality of life is being eroded to such a degree that a military career is no longer attractive...

More information »

Allowances - Chances are we will know by the Weekend

The Allowance Package is being overhauled as part of the SDSR cutbacks. Preliminary announcements on CEA(Board) have already been made and it is expected that the details of the cuts and changes to all other allowances will be announced imminently. These changes will effect everyone serving. As soon as we have the details we will make them available on the site...More information »