Interview now available online

Logged-in members and supporters can now listen to a recent BBC interview by BAFF spokesman Adrian Weale.

This was a telephone interview at very short notice on BBC Radio Wales's Good Evening Wales programme on 20 Dec. With Sarah Dickins.

Recommended listening for BAFF members and registered supporters. If you are not already registered but are serving or have served in any part of HM Forces including the reserves, you can register free of charge today.

Cases that drag on for months or even years can have a significantly harmful effect on the health and welfare of all those involved. Despite improvements I cannot give an assurance this year that the Service complaints system is yet working efficiently, effectively or fairly.

Dr Susan Atkins, Service Complaints Commissioner

With the Army 2020 announcement now likely to be made in Parliament this week, what line has BAFF been taking? The BAFF Chairman has given interviews on the subject in recent weeks. He has provided this summary of what he has been saying so far:

"Strong feelings and contrasting emotions ... tempered by an understanding of the feelings of others."

Following the conclusion of the Scotland Independence Referendum, Royal staff have taken the unusual step of releasing a written message on behalf of HM The Queen. The message reads:

The Ministry of Defence has published a tri-service review paper, led by the Chief of the General Staff, into women in ground close combat roles.

As predicted by BAFF, the review does raise the prospect of women being allowed to serve in such roles, defined as "those roles that are primarily intended and designed with the purpose of requiring individuals on the ground, to close with and kill the enemy".

Many commentators have welcomed the outcome of the House of Commons debate on 11 February 2011 about votes for prisoners. Conservative MP Simon Reevell, who voted for the successful motion, made an interesting point in defence of the European Court of Human Rights, without which much-needed improvements to the UK's court martial system would not have taken place.

New rules come into force on 1 December 2013 affecting foreign and commonwealth personnel applying to live in the UK.

BritishForcesNews reports that the changes include a minimum income requirement and all spouses having to take an English language test.

In Cyprus personnel have been urged to apply for their visa before the changes come into force. See this video report from BritishForcesNews:

It seemed unlikely that it could be happening again. But it was...

In the same week as the Justice Secretary announces manifesto proposals to quit the European Court of Human Rights or disregard its rulings, there has been a dramatic new development in the ECHR position on the right of military personnel to form or join a trade union or representative military association.

In the last party conference season before the General Election on 7 May 2015, political parties have been setting out their proposals affecting armed forces personnel and veterans. In alphabetical order, to be updated as the conference season progresses: