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Forces sweethearts

If you have a family member in the Royal Navy, RAF or army, find support from other Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

SDSR allowances review

39 replies

scaryteacher · 20/01/2011 12:37

Ouch!

Not only a pay freeze, but a cut in the LOA to boot. Belgium rates not yet published, but ouch for Germany,Canada and Cyprus.

OP posts:
fedupwithdeployment · 20/01/2011 12:40

I understand that DC is announcing it today...haven't heard details, but have heard that it will be "painful for all".

Original poster
scaryteacher · 20/01/2011 12:46

It is - we'll be paying to be posted abroad soon at this rate. Briefings happening today - dh has had his, hence the ouch above.

I'm beginning to be glad that he only has 3 years to go until he retires; hopefully he'll get out with pension and gratuity intact, although I am not holding my breath.

OP posts:
fedupwithdeployment · 20/01/2011 12:50

You are not wrong. We found out this week that DH's next job in Portsmouth (of which he had about 3 or 4 months notice) is no longer happening (hurrah!) and he is going to London (hurrah again) instead, umm next week, but what if we had set things in motion? Given notice on schools etc? The system is just daft, and the allowances make it less and less attractive.

DH considering the options, although I suspect he will stay in (and ask me to get a pay rise instead!!)

Rocinante · 20/01/2011 13:00

Summary here.

I can't believe so much is being reduced. They're making it harder and harder to justify staying in the services. A lot of these allowances would be standard in the private sector.

onimolap · 20/01/2011 13:06

Rocinante - thanks for posting the link.

Fedup: you might like to look at it - eligibility for RRA(L) has been reduced (I really don't see why only some ranks have a London allowance).

fedupwithdeployment · 20/01/2011 13:32

Thanks for the link. Interesting - but somewhat depressing.

MrsSnaplegs · 20/01/2011 13:40

Thanks for the link, DH and I had already been discussing my options if I don't get selected for promotion next month.

1980chick · 20/01/2011 14:16

Actually I don't think it's that bad, pretty practical cuts necessary to save money.

Rocinante · 20/01/2011 14:41

1980schick - some of them are quite severe; the length of time that specialist pay is paid is being cut which will make a huge difference to some people; thousands and thousands of pounds a year in our case.

Saltire · 20/01/2011 14:44

They'd save more money surely by medically dishcharging those on long term medical downgrades who are obviously never going to be fit enough to be at operational standard.

Original poster
scaryteacher · 20/01/2011 14:46

Dh tells me some of the cuts are practical (reducing home to duties for instance), but much of it is slash and burn as the MoD is bankrupt.

The LOA rates are cut greatly and it isn't cheap in Brussels for example. We won't know what the LOA cut is here until the end of Feb, but if ds wasn't in Year 10 here, I'd pull him out, kick out the tenants, dh would be married unaccompanied and I'd go home and pick up a job again.

Some of the cuts haven't been thought through at all; the home to duties may have an effect with some deciding to be move in to the mess because they lose home to duties and can't afford their commute. That will cost the MoD in accommodation for example and GYH packages.

The review of specialist pay will also be interesting.....

OP posts:
Scootergrrrl · 20/01/2011 14:50

The removal of the London allowance for everyone commissioned and the higher grades is a bit rough. It costs to live in London whoever you are and it's not like people have any choice about being posted there.

1980chick · 20/01/2011 14:54

Rocinante-Of course it's going to be hard for those that will lose money however i've never really understood why some get specialist pay when they don't carry out their specialist duties on a regular basis. Surely this is made up by the extra money when in theatre?

onimolap · 20/01/2011 14:56

Saltire: they're doing that!

madwomanintheattic · 20/01/2011 14:57

we're losing about £500 per month. (not specialist pay, just LOA and home to duty mileage)

deep joy.

very canny though. see how many resignations they get this month before they finalise the redundancy DIN due out next month.

Saltire · 20/01/2011 14:57

Are they? Because I know of 3 people on long term (i.e 5 years or more) medical downgrades.

LtEveDallas · 20/01/2011 14:59

I think the Spec Pay time bar is the right thing to do - why were we paying spec pay to someone who wasnt doing the spec job for 6 years?

Most assignments are 2 years, then back to their corps job, so it makes sense to keep the spec pay for the 2 years - but those who keep 'extending' in post (cushy life!) should not receive it.

(We have a guy here who is getting ATO pay, but has turned down 2 assignments back to do an ATO job - why is he sitting at a desk getting the same pay as someone disposing bombs - and has been for the last 4 yrs?)

3 miles HDT has been cut - you can walk 3 miles (and in any case does £20 a month really make that much of a difference?)

6 miles goes next year, 9 the year after. The National average commuting distance is apparently 9 miles - so that's why they have chosen that amount.

As for those long term downgraded - OK yes, some could go, but others are needed. We dont need everyone to be 'operationally fit' - we still need people behind desks - why lose that wealth of experience?

We knew it was coming - we cant pretend otherwise.

onimolap · 20/01/2011 15:01

Yes - it might take a while to get round everyone, and it depends on their role eg in the Army it's possible to soldier on in eg RLC, but probably not the Infantry. So it's transfer (if there's a suitable slot) or leave.

onimolap · 20/01/2011 15:04

Yes - it might take a while to get round everyone, and it depends on their role eg in the Army it's possible to soldier on in eg RLC, but probably not the Infantry. So it's transfer (if there's a suitable slot) or leave.

There were announcements on it a few months ago.

Saltire · 20/01/2011 15:04

One of the people I know works in AT. They can't walk more than 500 yards, can't do any lifting, or standing (so she can't do certian aprts of her job, everyone else "carries" her). Can't fly. Can't use a weapon. can't do fitness test.
Takes a lot of various steroids, inhalers etc. Yet has been told she can stay in. I don't get it, I really don't.

onimolap · 20/01/2011 15:30

Saltire: I don't get it either.

It's a CoC decision, so somebody must like her.

Original poster
scaryteacher · 20/01/2011 17:02

In some cases the specialist pay is relevant. My dh could be put back into a specialist submarine job at any time and be expected to have retained the knowledge necessary to do so. The same applies to pilots as well.

Madwoman - I've seen the revised LOA rates for where you are - still waiting to hear about ours.

OP posts:
1980chick · 20/01/2011 17:05

LtEve-long term am I correct in thinking there will be no specialist pay at all?

1980chick · 20/01/2011 17:09

Scaryteacher-if I don't practice law I don't still get paid for having the qualifications:)

Deafworm · 20/01/2011 17:20

losing gyh early years is a blow, until later this year when dh hits a decent wage its the only way we can afford to take our children to see our family. his runs out in july anyway but the MOD forget that recruits can come in with families, a passport which he needs to go OOA later this year costs 10% of his take home wage, thats a lot of money.