The Official site of the COMBINED ARMED FORCES FEDERATION (UK)

The COMBINED ARMED FORCES FEDERATION UK exists to:

- promulgate, monitor, update, negotiate and make representations to Government Ministers regarding Armed Forces Pay Levels, Pension Rights, Allowances, Life Insurance and Legal Representation etc., in relation to conditions of service.

- make representations to Government Ministers on any other related matters of concern to existing or past members of the Armed Forces.

Update from the General Secretary

Due to the Budget on June 22^nd I have decided not to request Members to write to their MPs until the second week in July now since the Budget will be a total distraction in the meantime. Also I am hoping to put an article in the House of Commons Magazine drawing their attention to our Legal claims to Occupational Pensions for time served in the Armed Forces in next month’s issue. This is a Magazine which keeps MPs up to speed with what Is going on in Parliament. When you do write remember to draw their attention to the fact that there are two copies of our Researched Report in the House of Commons Library.
Keep in touch with the Web-site in the meantime and please keep up your support at this critical time.
Please click here to download my suggested letter, fill in the name of your MP above the address, add the date, address it to the MP then add your signature at the end. Don’t forget to add your own Name and Address in the top right hand corner! If you do not know the name of your MP or you think it might have changed since the recent General Election you can find out by ringing the House of Commons and asking them – 02072-193000.
You are welcome to write and compose your own letter of course. I hope this helps.
David Robson.
Sec. Gen. CAFF UK.
p.s. please forward copies of any particularly interesting or positive replies to the Secretary General.

Membership Correspondence June 2010

To read a copy of the recent letter sent out to members regarding AGM and membership items click here.

2010 AGM Minutes

To read the minutes of the 2010 A.G.M. click here.

Secretary General's Report Apr 2010

To read the Secretary General's report prior to the 2010 A.G.M. click here.

Recent Correspondence

To read a letter sent from the Secretary General CAFF(UK) to John Thurso M.P. click here.
Click on the icons to read previous Letters sent to John Thurso from the Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office .

Notice of A.G.M.

The 7^th A.G.M. of CAFF(UK) will take place on the 13^th of May at the Union Jack Club in London. To view and print the full Agenda click here.
Michael Kennedy
Tresurer: CAFF UK

Membership

If you are already a member of CAFF(UK) then there is no need to re-register as your membership will automatically be renewed annually.

Extracts from The Combined Armed Forces Federation’s Researched Report

Preamble

Compliments of the season to all our Membership and their families.
DAVID ROBSON
Secretary General: CAFF UK

MP Update

I have now received confirmation from John Thurso MP that our Questions we wish to put to the Cabinet Office and Liam Byrne MP have now been forwarded. On receipt of the replies we get we will be in a position to make an Application to the Pensions Ombudsman. Extracts from our Researched Report will also be added to the Web-site shortly after a meeting with the Executive Committee later this month.
DAVID ROBSON
Secretary General: CAFF UK

INFORMATION REQUESTS

I am sure many Members will be interested to know how things are progressing and why there has been no update, of late.
First of all, Members will be pleased to know that things have been progressing.
Secondly the main driver for the work is the Secretary General who is responsible for updates on the website. Understandably, he has had to devote a great deal of time in correspondence with MPs, the MOD and the Cabinet Office. It will not be news to hear that all these people are extremely slow in replying, necessitating repeat correspondence and repeat follow-ups.
In addition, there has been a lot of legal activity, challenging a group whom we believe have "trespassed" on our organisational name. This has been seen as an important challenge but, because of the sensitivities of all parties involved, information cannot be published on the website, at this stage.
The Secretary General, with the support of your Executive Committee also believe that, although the case for the payment of pensions remains robust, the prevarication by MPs, Ministers and the Civil Service, is no longer acceptable and, as such, he has been preparing a direct legal challenge which the Government will have to answer in due course. Again, it would be inappropriate to give Ministers advance notice of our intentions by publishing information on the website.
I trust that this gives Members some re-assurance.
For some time, we have been aware of the need for updates, but one of our biggest problems has been that none of the Membership has ever responded to our request to undertake this role.
The Executive Committee are aware of the problem, and will seek to advise the Membership as soon as any developments of note can be reported on this website. Meanwhile, we appreciate your continued support and express our Best Wishes for 2010.
CHRIS WATKIN
Chairman: CAFF UK

AGM & Pension Claim Update

click here to read and print the Agenda and Minutes of the AGM held on the 7^th of May 2009. An update re our Pension claim should be added shortly once we have received replies from MPs making enquiries on our behalf. Apologies for the delay in being able to issue an update.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Currently we do not have members in the Canary Islands or Portugal. If you live there and want to support our campaign, or know anyone living there who may be able to spread the word then please contact the membership secretary.