AFF News
18 Jun - AFF statement on redundancies - Personnel will be informed today whether or not they have been made redundant. Redundancy and its impact on the soldier’s family depends entirely on personal circumstances. Some families will see this as an opportunity to make a fresh start, but for those who are made compulsorily redundant the news they receive today will be difficult to digest as they make some challenging decisions over where they will live, what job the soldier will do and where their children will go to school. For an Army family redundancy is a family issue which may mean relocating and could also mean the soldier’s spouse having to look for work in a new area.
Figures suggest that around 4500 personnel will be made redundant and that the vast majority of these will be volunteers; however we should not forget that a significant number of personnel are non-volunteers and the news is likely to be unwelcome and deeply distressing.
News that there will be no further redundancies above those already planned (Tranche 4 is likely to run next year) is welcome at a time when families and personnel are weary of uncertainty, but further defence cuts, which may mean spending cuts are of continued concern as speculation rises as where cuts will be made.
AFF is concerned that defence cuts are affecting not only those made redundant but are having a negative impact on the working hours and ability to take leave of personnel who remain in the Army. The effects of implementing cuts and amalgamations to units, rebasing, redundancy and the reserves on top of an already busy work load is seeing the Army and its personnel working hard to accommodate all the changes made necessary by the Strategic Defence and Security Review. Anecdotal evidence (see page 60 in the summer Journal) will be thoroughly investigated to see if working hours have increased as a result of gaps in posts created by defence cuts and redundancy. AFF is here to represent you – please feedback@aff.org.uk to ensure we know your views.
17 Jun - Maths Factor - If you entered our Maths Factor giveaway you should soon receive an email with a unique code and instructions on how to claim your prize. Please activate your account as soon as possible. If you have not received an email by 30 June please contact us at commsadmin@aff.org.uk
13 Jun - IVF Provision in UK and Overseas - Have you been trying to receive IVF treatment or have recently had IVF treatment? What are your experiences/feedback? AFF's Health and Additional Needs Specialist, Karen Ross is doing research into IVF provision for military families. Please email Karen at additionalneeds@aff.org.uk.
12 Jun - New webpage 'Healthcare Overseas'.
10 Jun - Hoax security scares/incidents have been spotted on social media. Please be reassured that Army families will be kept well informed of any genuine incidents and any need to take additional security measures. Please rely on official notification for your security information. AFF and your units will be informed immediately if there are any genuine concerns. Please continue to take normal, reasonable security measures.
24 May - Have you been told that your OT report and/or supporting medical evidence for housing adaptations has not been received or has gone missing at the Housing Allocations Service Centre (HASC)? AFF is collating evidence to help improve the adaptation process for additional needs families. Please email housing@aff.org.uk with your experiences.14 May - AFF Families' Concerns Report Latest report: Jan-Mar 2013.
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