EDITOR/DIRECTOR
EDITOR’S words 2
012 has proved to be a year of continual ups and downs. As we draw it to a close, it is perhaps time to take stock,
rest and refresh, and be ready for whatever lies ahead for each of us in the New Year.
I hope you will find in this issue something to lift the spirits and of course, an informative read. I take this opportunity to thank you for your many articles and contributions towards the magazine and website and support of
Good reading I From the Director
t’s been a busy first couple of months for me as I’ve started to get my feet under the table and to begin to appreciate the huge
number of tasks in which the Team is involved. But for me there are three events that have stood out so far as examples of the work we do and the influence we can bring to bear.
I have met with The Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, the new Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, on three occasions – including a half hour face-to-face session with him alone that was particularly useful in getting some of your key messages across, especially, but not exclusively, on housing and pay and allowances. I know it’s early days but I have to say that I am mightily impressed by his willingness to listen and by his quite genuine desire to help improve the support provided to the RAF Family – in its widest sense.
Together with my colleagues from the RN and Army Federations, I provided evidence to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) at a face-to-face session in October. Again, this was an opportunity to put before a hugely influential group of people the views, concerns and issues you have expressed to us over the year during our workshops, via our surveys and through your direct contact with us. We made a particular point of stressing how valued and important their independence is to you but also the sense of frustration held by many that the current
4 Envoy Winter 2012
pay freeze rather clips the AFPRB wings and reduces their credibility.
The AFPRB particularly welcomed the fact that I could back up my points with the evidence our surveys and workshops have gleaned and I hope you’ll appreciate how crucial this makes your continued support and input to our work on your behalf. This year, the AFPRB focus was on the X Factor – that piece of the pay packet designed to reflect the advantages and disadvantages of Service life when compared to civvy street – and they were interested in your views on the various elements that go to make it up, ranging from pay and allowances to getting your leave in, to the impact of a very mobile lifestyle on the RAF family. They did not just confine themselves to the X Factor but were also very keen to hear about other issues as well…housing featured again! The AFPRB will now collate all the evidence they have heard and report to the Government early in the New Year.
We also contributed to the first Annual Report to Parliament on the Government’s progress with delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant. The three Families Federations have grasped the chance to express our collective views on the good work so far but also to highlight the considerable task still ahead of everybody involved – from the individual Services and the evident need to communicate effectively to you all what the Covenant is about, to the other government departments and local authorities who have
the Fedration’s surveys and activities during the last twelve months.
Please keep letting us know your thinking, on anything to do with life in the RAF. For those who serve and for those in support, things have been tough and if the Federation can help, in any way, then it will.
With very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
a collective responsibility for delivery of much of the detail. There’s been a good start but everybody must work hard to keep the momentum going if this is to work in the long term, and your Federation will keep the pressure on.
In amongst all this, the Team has continued to present at a variety of conferences and courses, to attend Families Days and events, to point people in the right direction for assistance and to advise on specific issues and problems when asked. Our final survey of 2012 on welfare support drew well over 700 responses – keep an eye on the website for the report and our conclusions. We have also spent some time gazing at our own navel and are grateful to those of you who completed our short online survey about what you want to see from the Federation in the future. We’ll take account of your views as we develop a strategy for the medium and longer term.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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