A story at MailOnline says that "A highly decorated former head of the SAS is quitting the Army following the Government’s decision to cut education allowances for serving soldiers."
The respected Colonel is said to be furious that reductions in defence spending have prevented him from having his son educated at Eton College, following in his footsteps.
The officer is known to The Mail on Sunday but, at the request of the Ministry of Defence, we are not naming him for security reasons.
The man, who stood down last autumn after 18 months as head of the SAS, has been hit by changes made to the Continuity of Education Allowance in the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Until now, some military families have been entitled to grants of up to £5,833 a term – almost £17,500 a year – towards boarding school fees, or £4,482 a term for day pupils.
But new, tighter restrictions mean if personnel are moved to London and their family lives elsewhere, as in the case of the SAS officer, they lose the perk and have to pay school fees from their own pocket.
The officer moved from the SAS headquarters at Hereford late last year, thus losing out on the perk.
Annual boarding fees at Eton are at least £30,000 a year.
Sources confirmed that the former commander, regarded as a rising star in the Army, is one of several officers quitting after the school fees row...
SAS Colonel quits Army after education perk that lets Forces children go to top boarding schools is axed
By Christopher Leake
Last updated at 1:34 AM on 6th March 2011
A highly decorated former head of the SAS is quitting the Army following the Government’s decision to cut education allowances for serving soldiers.
The respected Colonel is said to be furious that reductions in defence spending have prevented him from having his son educated at Eton College, following in his footsteps.
The officer is known to The Mail on Sunday but, at the request of the Ministry of Defence, we are not naming him for security reasons.
Eton College: The prestigious public school where the disgruntled Colonel had hoped to send his son. He has quit after being told he must fund fees himself
The man, who stood down last autumn after 18 months as head of the SAS, has been hit by changes made to the Continuity of Education Allowance in the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Until now, some military families have been entitled to grants of up to £5,833 a term – almost £17,500 a year – towards boarding school fees, or £4,482 a term for day pupils.
But new, tighter restrictions mean if personnel are moved to London and their family lives elsewhere, as in the case of the SAS officer, they lose the perk and have to pay school fees from their own pocket.
The officer moved from the SAS headquarters at Hereford late last year, thus losing out on the perk.
Annual boarding fees at Eton are at least £30,000 a year.
Sources confirmed that the former commander, regarded as a rising star in the Army, is one of several officers quitting after the school fees row.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1363458/SAS-Colonel-quits-Army-education-perk-lets-Forces-children-to-boarding-schools-axed.html#ixzz1G1TEAZ2i SAS Colonel quits Army after education perk that lets Forces children go to top boarding schools is axed
By Christopher Leake
Last updated at 1:34 AM on 6th March 2011
* Comments (66)
* Add to My Stories
A highly decorated former head of the SAS is quitting the Army following the Government’s decision to cut education allowances for serving soldiers.
The respected Colonel is said to be furious that reductions in defence spending have prevented him from having his son educated at Eton College, following in his footsteps.
The officer is known to The Mail on Sunday but, at the request of the Ministry of Defence, we are not naming him for security reasons.
Eton College: The prestigious public school where the disgruntled Colonel had hoped to send his son. He has quit after being told he must fund fees himself
Eton College: The prestigious public school where the disgruntled Colonel had hoped to send his son. He has quit after being told he must fund fees himself
The man, who stood down last autumn after 18 months as head of the SAS, has been hit by changes made to the Continuity of Education Allowance in the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Until now, some military families have been entitled to grants of up to £5,833 a term – almost £17,500 a year – towards boarding school fees, or £4,482 a term for day pupils.
More...
* Afghanistan heroes lose £12 daily food allowance... but top brass keep theirs
But new, tighter restrictions mean if personnel are moved to London and their family lives elsewhere, as in the case of the SAS officer, they lose the perk and have to pay school fees from their own pocket.
The officer moved from the SAS headquarters at Hereford late last year, thus losing out on the perk.
Annual boarding fees at Eton are at least £30,000 a year.
Sources confirmed that the former commander, regarded as a rising star in the Army, is one of several officers quitting after the school fees row.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1363458/SAS-Colonel-quits-Army-education-perk-lets-Forces-children-to-boarding-schools-axed.html#ixzz1G1TEAZ2i
