EDITOR/CHAIRMAN
EDITOR’S words A
s the new year gallops ahead and we break into March, we brace ourselves for redundancy decisions, AFPRB
recommendations and more pain as SDSR outcomes bite harder and more is extracted from our pockets at the turn of the fiscal year.
On a more positive note, in this issue, we hear from a sgt photographer who has turned the likelihood of redundancy into her own decision; some good news on the (forgotten) benefits of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 05; heartening stories of an initiative to build
Good reading A From the Chairman
nother year starts as I pen this foreword and I can’t help but hope it is a better year than last year.
From a Federation perspective, we are relieved to have had the shadow of uncertainty lifted from our own contract extension and we are now secure until May 2014, albeit working to a budget 20% lower than before. Rest assured, we will still make our small budget go a long, long way and we look forward to continuing to represent you at every opportunity that presents itself this year.
Whilst we have held onto our jobs for the time-being, we are acutely conscious that many Phase 1 redundees will exit the RAF this year and a further batch will be selected over the next few months, many of them as non- volunteers. If we can support you and your families in any way, please do not hesitate to get in touch as there are many agencies just a phone call away willing and able to help with the transition process.
As we start another year of activity, we plan to undertake more proactive evidence- gathering and will be running three main surveys this year. Our first area of work will be to continue measurement of the impact of the SDSR and the Armed Forces Covenant from a family perspective. Our second survey will build on previous questionnaires aimed at informing the Armed Forces Pay Review Body whose work in an era of pay restraint needs to influence the pension review and the New Employment Model from a remuneration perspective. And our final survey is a new, generic Family Support survey, where we hope to explore the support available to various members of the family, ranging from parents to partners, siblings and children, and highlighting the needs of different family groups living both within and beyond the wire. Your evidence will be vital to this work so do please get involved and let us know what you think, warts and all.
Hopefully, by now, many of you will have seen the results of last year’s surveys –
available on our website and reported in this edition of Envoy, too. Over 3,000 family members supported our work last year and we would like to see at least 5,000 contribute their views in 2012. After all, what have you got to lose by taking a little time to go on line or attend a workshop? And what might you gain for RAF families if your evidence is strong enough to influence change for the better? It’s in your hands – without you, we have nothing to contribute to the debate and, believe me, some very interesting aspects of military family life are under active debate right now. So get your voice heard and tell your Federation what you think.
Why Should YOU Contact the Federation? T 4
he RAF Families Federation represents the concerns of RAF personnel and their family members on the
issues that affect them as part of a RAF family.
Your views and concerns are put in front of senior RAF and MoD staffs and direct to Ministers.
Envoy Spring 2012
The Federation is also invited to sit on steering groups where the views of RAF family members are sought. In these ways the Federation can influence change, where it is needed, for the better.
So whether you’re in uniform yourself or a spouse, a partner, a parent, a child or a sibling of a member of the RAF, the Federation is here to act on your behalf.
If you have something you wish to bring to the Federation’s attention, please call and speak to one of the team on 01780 781650 or email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
We operate entirely outside the RAF chain of command, so we can always promise an independent and confidential service. Please remember it is your views that are asked for, not ours!
www.raf-ff.org.uk
stronger relationships with those we love; enterprise to train squadrons of dogs for good works, and a summary of RAF Families Federation activity over the last year.
Keep telling us how it is, and completing our surveys, as the evidence you provide really is helping to shape decisions and more and more senior officers are seeking our views on your behalf. There will be three surveys this year, the first in April, so please keep an eye on the website.
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