OUR ROLE
The role of the RAF Families Federation is to provide an independent voice for all RAF Service personnel – Regular and Reserve, married, single or in a partnership - and their families. Our evidence is presented to RAF and MoD staffs, as well as ministers across government, in order to provide a snapshot of current issues and help support the delivery of future policies. We are charged by HQ Air with ensuring that single personnel in particular are included within our remit.
The Federation provides a signposting service for those who need advice and guidance with a problem or query and we work closely with RAF HQ Air Community Support Staff, the MoD, organisations such as the RAF Association, RAF Benevolent Fund, SSAFA, Other Government Departments (OGD), NHS, private companies and, especially, with local authorities in support of the AF Covenant.
INTRODUCTION
Many of the outcomes of this survey do not make easy reading but the issues our people have raised will come as no surprise. Most are known about and, where possible, action is being taken to alleviate some of them. It is the cumulative impact of the issues raised and the self-evident and growing sense of frustration that many express that is of note.
The survey suggests that the quality of single accommodation and the state of the infrastructure at some units is a real cause for concern and is having a marked impact on morale and the sense of being valued. Equally, the new pension scheme is clearly a significant factor in people’s decision-making about their future service. There is also a pervasive sense that civvy street pays better for many – but especially engineers- and a feeling that the gap between the advantages and disadvantages of Service life is diminishing.
THE EVIDENCE
We are grateful to the 2,323 personnel who responded to the survey and provided over 8,000 comments and opinions. This compares to circa 960 RAF personnel occupying Single Living Accommodation who provided evidence to AFCAS 2016. This report summarises this significant body of evidence, providing the main themes, issues and concerns captured. A number of comments received have also been used to help articulate the flavour and depth of the issues raised.
The evidence we have captured is not statistically derived, nor is it intended to be so; AFCAS does that. What our survey represents is a snapshot of how those across the ranks who live in SLA – either just during the week or full time – view the experience.
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