YOU AND THE RAF Top Level Messages
ACCOMMODATION, EDUCATION AND WELFARE IN FOCUS
ACCOMMODATION
The Government is investing £1.8 billion in the new basing plan and £1 billion of this will be spent on building brand new accommodation. This will see around 1,900 new family homes built and more than 7,800 new rooms for single personnel, along with over 800 upgraded rooms for single personnel and over 450 upgraded homes for families. The rest of the investment will be spent on technical infrastructure.
96% of UK SFA is at the top two standards (of four) for condition. The MoD no longer allocates the lowest two standards, although some personnel choose to remain in them. When these properties become vacant, they are removed from the allocation stock pending improvement or disposal. The MoD is also in the process of purchasing some 600 new properties from developers in areas of high demand to reduce reliance on privately-rented substitute SFA.
The Secretary of State has agreed an incentive plan which will improve the support available to Service personnel buying their own home. Forces Help to Buy will offer an interest-free salary advance of 50% of annual salary, up to a maximum of £25,000, making home ownership a more realistic option for many.
EDUCATION Free Further or Higher Education: Service leavers with six years’ service, and who have previously been members of the Enhanced Learning Scheme, can apply for funding to cover tuition fee expenses for an additional qualification. This is up to and including degree level courses.
School Place Allocation: The School Admissions Code is designed to recognise the needs of Service children.
Special Educational Needs: Local authorities and schools have received guidance reminding them of their obligation to ensure continuity of support.
Troops to Teachers: As part of the Schools White Paper, released in Nov 10 by the
24 Envoy Winter 2013
Department for Education, the Government has developed a ‘Troops to Teachers’ programme which is sponsoring Service leavers to train as teachers.
WELFARE The Armed Forces have long-standing welfare structures in place to support Service personnel and their families, including the chain of command, welfare officers, information and advice offices, chaplains, trained social workers, and other specialists.
Operational Welfare: the Deployed Welfare Package is kept under constant review to ensure it meets the needs of both the Service person and their families. Free phone calls are available for 30 minutes per week. Wi-Fi access has been extended in operational areas, texting and internet facilities have been improved in Forward Operating Bases and the Families Welfare Grant was doubled in 2012 to support families of those deployed.
Post: MoD and the Royal Mail continue to operate the Enduring Families Free Mail Service for friends and families to send packages of up to 2 kg to named personnel in Afghanistan. The
GOV.UK website contains the up to date BFPO information including available mobile phone applications and existing contracts for companies that are able to deliver items via the BFPO system. The Royal Mail issued ‘shadow postcodes’ for all BFPO locations to help personnel serving overseas and families by improving access to products and services from the internet. This will also help personnel maintain a UK credit history recognised by financial service providers.
Financial Awareness: The MoD continues to work with the Royal British Legion to further develop the MoneyForce.
org.uk financial awareness and support website. This is specifically for the Service community, to help them better manage their finances and plan for their financial future to overcome specific financial challenges that arise in Service life.
Supporting Families: The MoD recognises the importance of families as a part of the Armed Forces community, providing the essential support to Service personnel that enables them to undertake their military duties. The MoD has commissioned new research into the support provided to families of the injured and separately into the support needs of geographically dispersed families, both of which will help inform further improvements. Additionally, the MoD is undertaking a review of the impact of Service life on the employment of partners with a view to introducing measures to help partners overcome some of the difficulties they face.
Reserves: As part of the Future Reserves 2020 consultation the MoD has undertaken a review of the welfare support provided to Reserves and their families, the results were announced in the Jul 13 White Paper.
Veterans Welfare Service: the VWS is a nationwide service. It is part of the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) and gives support to veterans, those who are eligible to claim for the SPVA pension and compensation schemes and their dependants. It also advises on the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. The focus of the service is to provide assistance following a change in situation that may have resulted in a welfare need. VWS is heavily engaged with Personnel Recovery Units and Personnel Recovery Centres to ensure that transitional support is available and maintained to successfully meet welfare requirements. (see article on page 26).
The Veterans Helpline – free phone 0800 169 2277 or +44 1253 866043 – provides help and advice on queries regarding the War Pension Scheme, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, Medals, Veterans Badges.
Editor’s Note: If you have comments on any aspect of the Top Level Messages please contact the Federation.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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