The Ministry of Defence has published the first interim report on the Military Covenant, as required by the Armed Forces Act 2011. We quote in full this copyrighted story by Huffington Post UK, because of its obvious interest, but also because of its multiple references to "those representing rank-and-file-officers".

They mean the Mod-supported service family federations - but not any federation specifically representing personnel. In fact, the MoD's report goes out of its way to say that personnel are not entitled to (collective) representation by a federation.

The House of Commons Defence Committee has opened a new Inquiry into Armed Forces Readiness. The Committee welcomes written evidence on the following:

• Are the armed forces sufficiently capable, resourced and ready to protect the UK and our allies?
• What are the main gaps in capability and/or readiness, and what will it take to fill these gaps?
• Are the UK armed forces a ‘tier one fighting force’? Do they need to be?
• What are the consequences of the army having been “hollowed out and underfunded”? Which of these consequences needs to be addressed most urgently?
• Are the Government’s plans sufficient to address any shortfalls?

UPDATE JAN 2024: The extended deadline for submissions of evidence to this inquiry has now passed. BAFF will continue to monitor.

The Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) carries out a yearly review of armed forces pay, allowances and charges, in accordance with directions from the Government. It submits its recommendations to Government in time to be considered and, if accepted, brought into force from 1 April, the beginning of the next financial year.

When BAFF started, the eagerly-awaited recommendations came out in February or March.

In recent years the Government's approval and publication of the AFPRB report have, however, been taking place later and later. The AFPRB have repeatedly complained about this, saying in their latest published report (Oct 2021):

This petition under the official UK Government and Parliament procedure is now closed, after running for six months.

We believe Armed Forces families are consistently let down by the service providers that are supposed to maintain Service Family Accommodation (SFA). We want the Government to review and enhance the rights of SFA tenants, so they have at least the same rights as private tenants.

UPDATE:  We tried a 'Tineye' reverse image search on the photo of a filthy refrigerator alleged to be at Wellington Barracks, which turns out to have been previously posted on a foreign site on or before 2017.

Also, the goods in the fridge don't look recognisably British.

"I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."

It is with deep sorrow that we learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, after a long life of selfless service to our country, doing her duty to the end, with that unforgettable smile glowing as ever in the last photographs. We express our deepest sympathy to His Majesty and to all of her children and grandchildren and the wider family.

This is a timely message from SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity:

UPDATE (OCT 2019):  Thanks for all members' replies and for your scrutiny of the draft answers developed on this site. BAFF duly submitted a response to the MOD consultation on 'Legal protections for armed forces personnel and veterans serving in operations outside the United Kingdom'. (OCT 2020): The former BAFF Chairman Douglas Young gave oral evidence on behalf of the Federation to the House of Commons Bill Committee considering the Government's Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill.

This video message from the Commandant General Royal Marines, Lt Gen Robert Magowan, is for all members of the Corps Family, and may strike a chord with many others who have served there or had family members there. Sources of help are listed at the end of the video.

{youtube}https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiZXSfVW-vQ{/youtube}

The top menu on the BAFF website also lists sources of urgent help, if required.