NAVY NEWS, SEPTEMBER 2011
33
Essential updates on redundancy
TWOSIX.tv
The July edition of the Internal Communications DVD for the Naval service, reporting on the issues affecting you.
Coming up in this edition: Current Operations HMS Protector Pt 1 Armed Forces Covenant HMS Protector Pt 2
TWOSIX.tv has been aligned with the Personnel Support Brief providing an enhanced, co-ordinated package for use by the Divisional system in disseminating information.
For further information contact:
Pauline J Aquilina DMC-Ops PR (Navy)
MoD Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB
Tel: 0207 218 5984/9621 85984 email:
DMC-OpsPRNavySO2Publications@mod.uk July 2011
Director Naval Personnel Strategy Divisional & Regimental Support Team
PERSONNEL SUPPORT BRIEF
For all Royal Navy & Royal Marines Personnel and their families
fleetgraphicscentre 11/344 ©UK MOD Crown Copyright, 2011
THE ROYAL Navy and Royal Marines have to lose approximately 5,000 personnel by 2015 to meet the manning requirements of a future smaller Fleet. The 5,000 cannot be achieved without a redundancy programme conducted in a series of stages, or Tranches, which started in April this year.
Throughout the programme
Service personnel will be given the opportunity to apply for redundancy in those competency or skill fields where reductions are required. Wherever possible, applicants
will be taken in preference to non-applicants. However, this may not always be possible. For example, an applicant who
has highly-valuable skills may need to be retained and therefore a non-applicant is selected for redundancy instead. Redundancy may come as an unpleasant shock or a welcome opportunity. Either way everyone affected
needs to start thinking about the future. This is an update on the
implementation and processes associated with Tranche 1 followed by a list of what to start considering if redundancy is a real prospect. The list is not exhaustive as
everyone’s circumstances will be different. Specific advice on individual
queries can be obtained by the serving individual requesting information from their Unit Personnel Office (UPO). For the very latest and detailed
information on the redundancy programme, including all the relevant DINs, visit the Naval Service Redundancy Programme web page on the Defence Intranet. Information for families is
also available on the RNCom and Naval Families Federation websites.
Key dates The key dates to be aware of
are: September 30 2011 –
redundancy notification letters given to applicants and non- applicants. September 30 2011 – letters
despatched to all applicants not selected for redundancy. March 31 2012 – all applicants
selected for redundancy will have left the Service (six months after notification), except those completing operational tours and Post Operational Leave. September 30 2012 – all
non-applicants selected for redundancy will have left the Service (12 months after notification). Personnel selected for
redundancy can request to leave before these dates and all requests will be considered in the light of Service requirements.
Selection Process Since the closing date for
applications for Tranche 1 in May 2011, Redundancy Selection Boards have been sitting to make the difficult decisions on who, from those who have applied and other eligible personnel, will be made redundant. In reaching their decisions the
boards have all used a scoring system which considered an individual’s performance and potential, whether or not they were in date for their fitness test,
and their disciplinary record. Some non-applicant personnel
are excluded from redundancy because they are deployed on certain operations, or have protected rights on September 30 2012 (eg on Maternity, Adoption or Additional Paternity Leave). Every effort has been taken to
ensure the process is open, fair and equitable with confidentially protected at all times.
Op Ellamy An extension to the operational exclusions to include Op Ellamy Units in the Mediterranean has been announced in 2011 DIN01- 161, and the Units affected were announced by signal on August 16 2011.
Notification Process All people who have been
selected for redundancy (applicants and non-applicants) will be told by their Chain of Command on September 30 2011 and will receive a notification letter detailing the date on which they will leave the Service, as well as a forecast of redundancy compensation and pension. The notification letter will
be accompanied by supporting information on: Sources of advice,
including but not limited to the Department of Work and Pensions, Career Transition Partnership (for resettlement), the Royal Naval Association and the charitable sector. Resettlement entitlement
and process for accessing that entitlement. Sources of independent financial advice. Service housing. For personnel who are
dislocated from the Service (eg career breaks, maternity leave) special arrangements will be made to ensure they are informed correctly. Those personnel who applied
for redundancy but were unsuccessful will be informed by letter. This will not be delivered
through the Command Chain but will be posted (on September 30 2011) direct to the individual concerned so that no one else is aware that they were an applicant for redundancy. Anyone not selected can, of
course, re-apply in any future Tranche so long as they are in a redundancy field, or submit their notice to leave in the usual manner should they wish to leave sooner.
Appeals Any non-applicant can
appeal against their selection and any unsuccessful applicant can appeal against their non- selection on the grounds that the Redundancy Selection Boards: Failed to take into account
some fact which should have been taken into account. Took into account some
factor which should not have been taken into account.
Useful Links
org.uk Citizens Advice Bureau www.
citizensadvice.org.uk Relate
www.relate.org.uk UK Border Agency www.
ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk Tax/doctors/dentists www.
www.nff.org.uk SPVA
www.veterans-uk.info RN Community www.rncom.
Naval Families Federation
direct.gov.uk NPFS
www.npfs.org.uk SSAFA
www.ssafa.org.uk White
whiteensign.org.uk Regular Forces Employment
Ensign www.
Association
www.rfea.org.uk Royal Navy Benevolent Trust
www.rnbt.org.uk RNRM Children’s Fund www.
rnrmchildrensfund.org.uk
Failed to follow proper procedure. Personnel who wish to appeal
have 30 calendar days (not working days) from the date of receiving their notification letter to submit an appeal to the Fleet Redundancy Cell.
Resettlement Resettlement is the process
which everyone leaving the Service undergoes and is designed to help with the transition into civilian life. All personnel who are made redundant, applicants and non- applicants, will be entitled to the full package of resettlement regardless of their length of service. The Summer 2011 edition of Homeport contained a two-page spread on resettlement and what the package entails. Work is under way to ensure
that the resettlement organisation will be able to support all redundees along with those who are exiting the Service because they have served their time or have submitted their notice to leave. Current regulations do
exceptionally allow the completion of resettlement training after an individual has left the Service but every effort will be made to assist personnel in completing resettlement before their final exit date.
Personnel in sea-going units who are made redundant. To enable personnel made to undertake
redundant
resettlement, terminal leave and any outstanding annual leave, it is inevitable that a significant number of redundees must be transferred ashore within a few weeks of the announcement date. All successful applicants for redundancy will be transferred ashore no later than December 16 2011. Precise dates will be agreed between the parent unit and the individual’s career manager. Selected non-applicants will
be transferred ashore no later than June 30 2012.
Overseas Postings Wherever possible, successful applicants for redundancy who are serving in overseas posts will be able to return to the UK no later than December 1 2012. Non-applicants selected for redundancy will be returned to the UK no later than March 31 2012.
Effect on remaining person- nel
As a result of notifying people
of redundancy and then having to move them at short notice, all units will experience a degree of upheaval. To reduce the impact and to
ensure that the Naval Service continues to meet its operational commitments there will need to be short notice changes to assignments for many of those remaining in the Service. In a nutshell it is likely that
many people who were expecting a degree of stability will have to be re-deployed at short notice.
Tranche 2 The announcement of
Tranche 2 redundancy fields due on September 30 11 has been postponed until early 2012.
Fleet Redundancy Cell (FRC) The FRC is the central point
of contact for all redundancy questions.
In addition to
standard business hours, the FRC Team will be available throughout the weekend of October 1-2 2011.
What to consider if made redundant
When will the Redundancy Compensation Award be in the bank account and how much will it be? The
Redundancy Armed information.
accessible through the Internet at
www.mod-rc.co.uk. can provide a forecast of the lump sum payment due to an individual if they are made redundant. Details of the final award
will be confirmed by letter by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) once the individual has been formally discharged and when, therefore, the final date of exit is known. It is important to note that it could be up to 35 days after the final exit date before the Compensation Award is in the bank account. SPVA will attempt to
complete all processes to make the payment as soon as they can but there are certain limitations to the JPA system. The legal position is that
redundancy compensation payments have to be made within three months of the final date an individual leaves an organisation and 35 days is well within this time-frame. The key point here is that
Calculator, Forces
What happens if a property was purchased under the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme (AFHOS)? It is suggested that contact
is made with the AFHOS agent on 0800 028 1980 to discuss transition arrangements.
What removal and disturbance allowances are permitted to redundees who are leaving SFA and relocating to another part of the UK or overseas? The redundancy page on
RNCom provides more detail. UPOs can also provide further information.
What removal, disturbance and storage allowance is permitted if returning to the UK from abroad? The redundancy page on
RNCom provides more detail. UPOs can also provide further information.
What do Foreign and Commonwealth personnel need to consider? F&C personnel who are made
no-one should make financial commitments until the money has entered the bank account.
When does pension entitlement (if applicable) start and how much will it be? The Pension Calculator at
redundant, whether applicants or non-applicants, need to consider whether they wish to return to their country of origin or remain in the UK. If they wish to return to their
www.mod-pc.co.uk provides a forecast of pension entitlements. Again a letter from SPVA will confirm the details once an individual has been formally discharged and the final date of exit is known.
What other exit payments may be due and when are they payable? Some personnel being made
confirm all the details once an individual has been formally discharged and the final date of exit is known.
Tax Status? Potentially some personnel
clear understanding of what is taxable and by how much, in order to allow sensible financial planning. In summary, Redundancy
Again, SPVA will
country of origin they must consider how they will get themselves and their families home (the redundancy page on RNCom provides more detail). If F&C personnel without
leave to remain wish to remain in the UK, application must be made through normal channels ie the UK Border Agency. Normal rules for vacating
SFA upon leaving the Service apply.
redundant will also be entitled to, for example, a pension lump sum (gratuity) in addition to a Redundancy Compensation Award.
When does Continuity in Education Allowance (CEA) entitlement (if applicable) cease? The redundancy page on
RNCom provides more detail. The Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS) at
www.ceas.org.uk should also be able to provide details. If CEA entitlement is ceasing
will be awarded significant amounts of money as a result of redundancy. It is advisable to gain a
or personnel are re-locating to a new area in the UK then consideration needs to be given to applying for new schools. Local Education Authority
websites are the best place to start understanding the process of applying for school places. CEAS may also be able to advise.
Compensation Awards and pension lump sums (gratuities) are tax-exempt, pensions are taxable. The redundancy page on RNCom provides more detail.
How and when will any public debt be recovered? Individuals will be asked how
they intend to repay any crown debts, including LSAP. If the money is not to be taken from the Redundancy Compensation Award it will be taken from pay over the period left to serve.
When must Service Families Accommodation (SFA) be vacated? Normal rules for personnel
Access to medical and dental care? If personnel are re-locating
to a new area in the UK consideration needs to be given to registering for medical and dental care. Whether moving or not, the
Service leaver will need to register, possibly for the first time.
leaving the Service will apply, there are no special arrangements for anyone made redundant. JSP 464 is available through the internet for further
Tranche 2 Information on which branches and rates/ranks are eligible for selection in the next Tranches will be released in the same way as for Tranche 1, and similar rules used for Tranche 1 will apply in Tranche 2. At time of writing this article
the dates were unknown and still subject to ministerial approval but will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.
Tune in to
TwoSix.tv
THE latest edition of TwoSix. tv features reports on current operations and the RFA’s support worldwide. It provides an introduction
to the new ice patrol ship HMS Protector, and an overview of the excellent work of the Navy’s Photographers competing for the Peregrine Trophy. The
TwoSix.tv DVD has
been aligned with the Personnel Support Brief to provide an enhanced package for sharing information across the Service. If you want to get your message
out to the Naval service through these pages or the
TwoSix.tv DVD, please contact: Pauline Aquilina: 9621 85984 WO1 Russ Billings: 93832 Pauline Aquilina
is also the first point of contact for the Royal Navy Facebook site. Search for Royal
Navy and follow the Service online.
to look where GALAXY MESSAGES Galaxy 27-2011: Maritime estate
rationalisation Galaxy 28-2011: Armed Forces Pension
Scheme update: Personal message from 2SL
Galaxy 29-2011: SDSR impact – Naval Service Pulse survey Galaxy 30-2011: Changes in timing of the Redundancy Programme and exclusions for personnel deployed on operations
DEFENCE INTERNAL BRIEFS 68/11: 2nd PUS and VCDS write to all
staff about Transformation and Defence Reform: 2nd Permanent Under Secretary Jon Day and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Houghton have written to all staff about why we need to transform, what transformation covers, what is Defence Reform, the principles on which Transformation and Defence Reform are based and why we should achieve the goals to get Transformation and Defence Reform right.
71/11: Armed Forces Redundancy
Programme – delay to announcement of future tranches: Notification of selection for redundancy in Tranche 1 of the Armed Forces Redundancy Programme will take place, as planned on September 1 2011 for Army and RAF, and September 30 2011 for the Royal Navy. 72/11: Publication of the House of
Commons Defence Committee Report on the Strategic Defence and Security Review and the National Security Strategy: The House of Commons Defence Committee published on August 3 2011 its report into the Strategic Defence and Security Review and National Security Strategy. 73/11: Pause in SFA upgrade and SLA
modernisation programmes: As part of the Department’s work to reduce our funding gap, and to balance Defence priorities and the budget whilst protecting front line operations, from April 2013 there will be a three-year pause in the programme to upgrade lower quality SFA homes.
DEFENCE INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTICES DIN 2011 DIN01-176: Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme DIN 2011 DIN01-174: Naval Service Redundancy Programme – Exit date for Applicants DIN 2011 DIN01-169: SDSR Redundancy Appeals Process DIN 2011 DIN01-166: Amendment to
Armed Forces Terms of Service – Transfer to the Reserves for Other Ranks DIN 2011 DIN01-161: Naval Service Redundancy Programme – Extension to Operational Exclusions DIN 2011 DIN03-025: Contact with the Media and Communicating in Public DIN 2011 DIN07-127: RM Officers – Officer Career Development DIN 2011 DIN07-125: Maths and English
GCSE Courses at NETS Education Centres, HMNB Portsmouth, HMNB Faslane and HMD Devonport DIN 2011 DIN09-007: The Sun Military
Awards 2011
ROYAL NAVY TEMPORARY MEMORANDA Issue 11/11 RNTM 206/11: Fleet Air
Arm Warfare Branch – Change to the pre- selection criteria for promotion to Petty Officer Aircrewman (ASW), Petty Officer Aircrewman (CDO), and Sergeant Royal Marine Aircrewman (RMAC) Issue11/11 RNTM 208/11: Introduction
of armour piercing 7.62mm ammunition to Op Kipion units Issue 11/11 RNTM 210/11: Sea Boat
checks Issue 11/11 RNTM 212/11: Royal Navy
other ranks – Valedictory Certificates and letters
TWOSIX.tv July 2011 Peregrine Trophy Awards Lucy O’Connor
DVD
TWOSIX.tv
July 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48