Your Federation Your Voice
Acting as a barometer of family morale, telling it like it is, and representing ordinary families’ views, knowing that the only voices that matter are those of the family members we represent.
The RAF Families Federation represents the views and concerns of RAF personnel and their family members on the issues that affect them as part of a RAF family. Whether you are in uniform yourself or a spouse, a partner, a parent, a child or a sibling of a member of the RAF, we are here to act on your behalf.
We are an independent organisation and operate entirely outside the RAF chain of command so we can always promise an independent and confidential service.
By gathering evidence we put your views and concerns in front of the people who can make a difference, such as senior RAF and MoD staffs and Ministers. Influencing change, where it is needed, for the better.
The Federation is not a charity, it is publicly funded. It is parented by the RAF Association but receives no monies from this source and pays for any services provided by the charity.
To Contact the Federation Click here
or email the team at: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
Click here for more information on the Federation and its work
The 2011 RAF FF Annual Report is now available. It gives details of Federation activity over the last 12 months. There are also eight supplementary documents on the key areas of our evidence gathering with supporting quotes - Thank you very much to all those who contributed.
Telephone: 01780 781650
The RAF Families Federation
13-15 St Georges Road
Wittering
Peterborough
PE8 6DL
Do you think the Armed Forces Pay Review Body still has a role to play in influencing the military salary, allowances and charges?
Magazine, Unit Liaison Visits and Federation News
The Spring Issue of Envoy is available to view here by clicking on the image.
In this issue: A sgt sums up her reasons to go and reasons to stay in the RAF; The Federation reports from the Falklands; We hear from the Sikh Chaplain to the Armed Forces and learn what a well trained pup can do... and much, much more...
Envoy, the quarterly magazine of the RAF Families Federation, is delivered to Stns/Units where there are RAF personnel and is always available from the HIVE.
Or if you would prefer your own copy register by clicking on the blue bar above and we will deliver it FREE of any charge to your door - Why? Because we, and the RAF, would like you to read it!
Federation Activity 2012
This year the RAF Families Federation will once again be seeking your views. Concentrating on three areas:
The continuing impact of SDSR and the Armed Forces Covenant;
Pay, pensions and money related items to feed into the AFPRB and
support for families
Surveys will again be online and we hope to visit the following units:
April: Marham, Cranwell & Brize Norton
June: Lossiemouth, Leuchars & Odiham
September: Cyprus, St Athan, Cosford and Stafford
RAF FF 2011 Annual Report available on the website
For more information on our evidence gathering Click here
Latest News from the Federation
Our Stories in RAF News - Child Benefit Double Blow
Periodically in RAF News the Federation uses the evidence someone has provided to illustrate a topic of concern. The cases illustrate where policy is deemed as not quite fair or is outdated, or where there is disadvantage purely because that someone is a member of an RAF family. This case tells of an unhappy spouse who is worried enough to write to ask about the changes to Child Benefit payments. They wonder if the Government is really going to double punish supportive partners of the military who struggle to have careers and make pension contributions by taking away the entitlement to Child Benefit too. They already feel partners are penalised because most are only able to take up minor, low-paid jobs because of moves every 1-2 years – and are certainly not in a position to have two £40k incomes. They believe this is a serious disadvantage when compared to civilians...
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Current Hot Issues & Talking Points
Housing
Delay to SFA Self Preference
DIO has announced a delay in the Allocations Service Programme and have issued a new go-live date for the E-1132 enhancement (self-preference) of 29 May 12. When the system does go live there may be little choice in some areas where SFA are in short supply. Also, the information available online ie photos, floor plans etc, will be limited at launch but will be enhanced over the coming months...
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Education
Defence Budget Black Hole has Disappeared says Minister
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is expected to announce today that he has balanced the Defence budget books and removed the £38 billion deficit. But questions are being asked as to how exactly he has achieved this - He has been keen to point out that there would be no new redundancies beyond those already announced
...
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Health
Armed Forces Community Covenant in action in Wales
An agreement has been signed between the RAF and the Isle of Anglesey County Council to support the development of the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path. It has being made possible through the Anglesey Armed Forces Community Covenant which will be signed on 24 May 12 at RAF Valley. This new partnership forms the basis of the upcoming Community Covenant...
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Financial
Home to Duty - Some Good News!
The personal contribution for Home to Duty (Public) rose to 3 miles each way from 1 mile on 1 May 11 and was due to increase further to 6 miles on 1 Apr 12 and to 9 miles on 1 Apr 13. The personal contribution will now remain capped at 3 miles and the planned increases in personal contribution towards HDT (Public) occurring on 1 Apr 12 and 1 Apr 13 will not now take place...
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Family Support
Lord Ashcroft's Report on 'The Armed Forces & Society'
Lord Ashcroft has conducted the biggest ever survey of British troops, which explores the relationship between Service personnel and wider society. Amongst the findings are that the public rate the Armed Forces very highly, and personnel felt public support has increased. However, some feared the relationship with the public could deteriorate as current high profile conflicts end...
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Policy
Service Personnel Killed in Afghanistan Named
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence confirm that Cpl Brent John McCarthy, from the Royal Air Force, and LCpl Lee Thomas Davies, from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, were killed in Afghanistan on Sat 12 May 12. The two were serving as part of an advisory team providing security for a meeting with local officials when they were shot and killed by members of the Afghan Police Force...
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