BAFF in the news

This page is no longer being updated, as its purpose has been served. BAFF continues to feature frequently in print and broadcast media.

Scroll down for more. BAFF has featured in hundreds of print articles and radio and TV broadcasts since launch. For older news stories mentioning BAFF, try this web search: British Armed Forces Federation .

19 Apr 08 Radio 5 Live

A member of the BAFF Executive Council discussed the implications of increasing expenditure by service personnel on special insurance cover for death, injury and kit loss while on operations.

09 Apr 08 The Daily Telegraph - One in three troops hit by tax change

by James Kirkup, Political Correspondent

A third of all members of the Armed Forces have been made poorer by Gordon Brown's decision to scrap the 10p tax rate, calculations have disclosed. ...

In his last Budget as Chancellor last year, Mr Brown scrapped the 10 per cent starting rate of income tax and used the money raised to cut the basic rate from 22 per cent to 20 per cent.

The changes have left 5.3 million households worse off, among them the lowest-paid workers in Britain. Anyone earning between £5,200 and £18,500 will lose out because of the abolition of the 10p rate.

Among them are up to 66,000 Armed Forces personnel, according to calculations by Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman. ...

The most junior private soldiers and their equivalents in the other services have a starting annual salary of just £14,349. Abolishing the 10 per cent band will cost them £89 over the next year.

For those junior service people, this year's 2.6 per cent pay rise is worth £373. ...

Douglas Young, of the British Armed Forces Federation, said ministers had tried to keep the impact of the changes quiet, meaning many military personnel were only just starting to realise they are worse off.

He said: "It is outrageous that our junior service personnel are going to be made worse off.

"When things are being increased, the bands are playing and the Government makes a lot of noise about it, but the Government has not owned up to this change."

01 Apr 08 BBC Radio 5 Live - Iraq UK troop reduction delayed

BAFF's Douglas Young discussed the breaking news that Defence Secretary Des Browne would be making a Commons statement that there were no current plans to reduce the number of British troops based in Iraq, despite the Prime Minister's statement on 8 October, 2007 that the numbers would be reduced to 2,500 by spring.

Hopes to reduce the number of soldiers from the current total of 4,100 may have been dashed by recent fighting in Basra, said the BBC's Defence Correspondent Caroline Wyatt.

Along with other points, Young suggested that the decision to delay any further reduction had already been on the cards, and had now been confirmed by the inconclusive results of the recent "Maliki offensive". He hoped that the military Chain of Command would have been managing the issue as well as it could be, but there would be real disappointment to troops and particularly their families if individual end of tour dates were being extended. Young commended the dedication of not only the troops on the ground, but the RAF who were playing a very active part in current operations, and the Royal Navy in the Gulf.

Young added that the armed forces were still very stretched, so the sooner the Iraq troop deployment could realistically be reduced, the better.

26 Mar 08 BFBS Radio 2, with Richard Hutchinson - Army wife wins visa battle

BAFF's Douglas Young discussed the breaking news that Canadian citizen Mrs Samantha Crozier had been granted a 'spousal visa' to join her British soldier husband, Andrew, in the UK. Young conceded that along with sympathy there had been criticism of the young couple for failing to apply during the husband's posting in Germany, but he hoped that everyone would welcome the news that the Croziers and their two young boys would be reunited and the threat of deportation had been lifted. 'The Sir Humphreys have made their point', he said.

It had been reported that SSAFA Forces Help had provided financial and administrative support to the Croziers, and Young had also heard that the Army Welfare Service had been involved. He urged other families who might be in a similar position to review their status and make any necessary applications in good time, before being posted to UK.

Douglas Young also mentioned the 'unjust' case of Rogers Jean-Baptiste, the ex-soldier whose application for British citizenship had been turned down on the grounds that he had not been in the United Kingdom on the date five years before the date of application - because he had been serving with British Forces Germany.

External links:

Crozier case:

'Soldier wife wins deportation row'

Jean-Baptiste case:

'Refusal is a slap in the face'

'Commonwealth soldier who fought with British Army in Iraq is denied UK passport - because he was serving abroad'

Helpful info:

MOD Army: British Army's Foreign and Commonwealth Citizens Serving in the Regular Army and their Families

Army Families Federation: Foreign & Commonwealth

Douglas Young, chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation, said: "Equality and diversity are very important, especially at a time when the armed forces have problems with retention and really need everyone who is willing to serve.

"But we would question this use of £5m.Whoever decided this should really think again. This £5m will have to come out of an increasingly hard-pressed military budget, and when our forces are so stretched, many in the audiences will think that this money could have been much better spent."

07 Mar 08 A BAFF spokesman, Douglas Young, gave separate interviews on Radios Three Counties, Hereford & Worcester, Cambridge, Cornwall, Newcastle, and 5 Live in response to revelations of RAF Wittering's advice to its personnel not to wear uniform in Peterborough.

Young deplored the abuse of service personnel by those he described as "numpties" and welcomed the fact that personnel in uniform were becoming a more familiar sight in many parts of the country after an absence of many years. Young hoped that the ban would be lifted as soon as possible but, in contrast to many commentators, he defended the right of the Station Commander to take such decisions in accordance with local conditions.

03 Mar 08 BFBS Radio 2 - Forces postal service "is pants"

BAFF's Douglas Young discussed comments by Prince Harry about the postal service for deployed troops.

UPDATE - See Forces Mail 'is pants?' on this website.

01 Mar 08 Daily Telegraph - Harry in Afghanistan - Forces' View - What the defence chiefs say

We are delighted for him, it is what he wanted to do and he has obviously enjoyed himself. He is an Army officer and I think we can all very much sympathise with his wish to go out there. He clearly has been doing a useful and necessary job.

None of our members have expressed any concerns whatever about additional risks to others. For his sake I hope he gets the chance again.

Douglas Young, Chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation.

29 Feb 08 - British Forces Broadcasting Service

BAFF's Douglas Young contributed to a BFBS radio news package about premium increases for PAX insurance cover for members of the armed forces. Comments included disappointment that PAX had decided against extending cover to include PTSD.

28 Feb 08 - Sky News

BAFF's Adrian Weale was interviewed about the revelations of Prince Harry's operational service in Afghanistan.

20 Feb 08

BAFF Executive Council member Richard Bartle gave a talk on BAFF to the prestigious Kettner Lunch in London.

18 Feb 08 - Publication of report of Commons Defence Committee inquiry on Medical Care for the Armed Forces

Written evidence on behalf of the British Armed Forces Federation.

BBC Wales - 28 Jan 08 - Overstretch 'driving troops away'

BAFF's Adrian Weale was interviewed about the House of Commons Defence Committee's response to the MOD annual report.

BBC Radio 5 Live - 21 Jan 08 - MOD laptop theft

BAFF's Douglas Young, following Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox on the programme, commented on Defence Secretary's statement in the Commons this afternoon and revelations of more stolen MOD laptops. Young welcomed the appointment of Sir Edmund Burton to conduct an independent review of the circumstances which led to the "systemic failures".

BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire - 21 Jan 08 - MOD laptop theft

BAFF's Douglas Young answered questions from presenter Liz Kershaw.

BBC Radio WM (West Midlands - includes Birmingham area) - 21 Jan 08 - MOD laptop theft

BAFF's Douglas Young in a discussion, with Dr David Dunn of Birmingham University.

Multiple media - BAFF comments on MOD laptop theft story - 18-20 Jan 08

Some of BAFF's comments on this major story have been carried by multiple online and print media.

Radio 5 Live - 'Weekend Breakfast' programme - 19 Jan 08

Another interview about MOD laptop theft story. ['Listen Again' link now superseded.]

BBC News 24 & Radio 5 Live - 18 Jan 08 - MOD laptop theft

A BAFF spokesman gave one of the earliest reactions to this breaking story on Friday evening: the theft of a laptop containing personal data of 600,000 actual or potential recruits to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, or Royal Air Force. More information on new BAFF web page - MOD laptop theft.

Radio 5 Live - 10 Jan 2008 - UK troops in blood disease checks

A BAFF spokesman gave a balanced reaction to reports that a small number of British troops were undergoing medical checks after it emerged they had received emergency life-saving blood transfusions which had not received the normal retrospective testing after being donated during military operations. From part of this interview:

'Douglas Young, the chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation, told BBC Five Live that such checks were vital after emergency transfusions.

"If the necessary testing couldn't take place before the blood was given at all, then clearly there should have been what is called retrospective testing, where the donors or the blood batches are checked to ensure there are no issues involved," he said.

"Because in some circumstances, if there is a problem, it's as well to know that quickly, because some kinds of treatment may be given that isn't possible a year or two years later." '

UPDATE: See also Blood transfusion fears on this website.

'The House' parliamentary magazine - 7 Jan 2008 - British Armed Forces Federation - Representation in Action

Less than two years have gone by since Parliament began to discuss the idea of an Armed Forces Federation. ...

Update: Full article now added to BAFF website.

BBC Three Counties Radio - 7 Jan 2008 - The Nine o Clock Show

BAFF's Douglas Young discussed with 3CR presenters Ronnie Barbour and Katherine Boyle the report 'Informed Choice? - Armed Forces and Recruitment Practice in UK' which has been widely publicised today. While BAFF has never been slow to criticise problems in the armed forces with a view to bringing about improvements, Young defended MOD recruitment practices and emphasised the importance of potential recruits being encouraged to reach their own informed decisions. See BAFF page Joining HM Forces.

Radio 5 Live - 6 Jan 2008 - Weekend Breakfast

BAFF's Adrian Weale reacted to the reported decision to close Deepcut Barracks.

(Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, Surrey. Press Association external link - Deepcut Barracks could be destroyed.)

EUROMIL (European Organisation of Military Associations) Newsletter - Issue 5, Dec 2007 - EUROMIL reasons in the Council of Europe for Fundamental Rights of Members of the Armed Forces

The Council of Europe’s Working Group on Human Rights of Members of the Armed Forces gathered 3-4 December in Strasbourg to its second meeting. The task of the working group, consisting of 13 Member States and a handful of NGOs, is to draft a recommendation for the Council’s Committee of Ministers.

EUROMIL argues in this working group that members of the armed forces are citizens in uniform who must enjoy the same fundamental freedoms as any other citizen. Any restrictions to these rights must solely be based on exigencies of specific military duties. EUROMIL demands in such cases national authorities to provide a clear reasoning and profound evidence for a need to restrict any fundamental right and freedom as well as indication of proportionality to the aim pursued.

Other issues discussed in the meeting included the right of military personnel to fair trial and the question whether the application fundamental rights could be limited to peace-time. EUROMIL, supported by some member states, argued that the blurred reality of modern peace-keeping and crisis management missions makes a clear distinction between peace- and war time impossible. The EUROMIL delegation, consisting of Birte Dolpp (DBwV, Germany), Poul Sorensen (HKKF, Denmark), Colonel Jacques Bessy (ADEFDROMIL, France), Colonel Anatol Tichoniuk (KONWENT, Poland) and Mikko Harjulehto (Secretary General of EUROMIL), was supported again by Lt Col Douglas Young, Chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF).

Le Temps (Geneva) - 18 Dec, 2007 - GRANDE-BRETAGNE. Le mcontentement est tel qu'un syndicat défendant les soldats a vu le jour l'année dernière. ...

The article quotes one of BAFF's 'cofondateurs', Richard Bartle.

BAFF has previously been written about in the German, Dutch and Serbian languages.

The Sunday Times - 16 Dec, 2007 - Gurkhas will be sacked early to reduce their pension rights. By Michael Smith, Defence Correspondent

THE Ministry of Defence MOD) is facing legal action over plans to cut the pensions of Gurkhas by sacking them three years before they are due to leave the army.

The move, which means the MOD will avoid having to pay an ordinary Gurkha soldier more than £200,000, is to be challenged in the courts by the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF).

... A “manning control scheme” was used from the late 1990s until 2002, in an attempt to cut the MOD ’s pension liability by preventing some soldiers serving to the point at which they received an immediate pension.

But its deliberate intent to cut pension payments was exposed in 2002 after a series of cases in which highly experienced soldiers with extremely good reports were thrown out at a time when the army was desperately short of such men.

Ministers ordered civil servants to stop using the scheme to discharge good soldiers and it has not been used since. It has been revived specifically to control the numbers of Gurkha soldiers.

Doug Young, the BAFF chairman, said it was staggering that “the MOD should consider reintroducing their discredited manning control policy for anyone, let alone for Gurkha soldiers only. This raises several important legal issues, not only racial discrimination, serious as that would be”.

RUSI - 14 Dec, 2007 - British Army Loses 'Battalion a Year' to Drug-Use Discharges

BAFF's Adrian Weale interviewed on BBC News 24 TV and BBC Radio Wales about research into Compulsory Drugs Testing (CDT) of UK service personnel, published today by the Journal of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

The Times - 12 Dec, 2007 - Letters to the Editor

Sir, The Police Federation has, rightly, complained about the Government’s failure to honour its pay agreement.

Most servicemen and women, however, would be more than pleased to be paid at the same rate as either a policeman or a fireman. Currently, a newly trained soldier is paid about half the salary of a newly trained policeman or fireman. This, of course, does not take into consideration the overtime rates paid to policemen and firemen but denied to service personnel. It is a scandal that junior servicemen and women are not even paid the minimum wage that everyone else must be paid by law.

To add insult to injury, thousands of servicemen and women have not been paid for months because of failures in a new computer system. Many, including some fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, have been forced to rely on regimental charities in order to feed their families. On the Army chatroom one soldier reports that he has had to ask for emergency payments from his regiment..

While there are reports of the police planning to strike, the Armed Forces cannot and will not consider such action. When will this Government recognise that its treatment of loyal service personnel over recent years is a disgrace and that immediate efforts to rectify shameful pay and conditions of service are essential for service morale?

Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Bartle (ret’d)

British Armed Forces Federation

Radio 5 Live - 10 Dec, 2007 - Simon Mayo Show

BAFF's Douglas Young discussed the outlook in Kosovo, where he served in 1998-99 and 2001-02. With BBC correspondent Alan Little in Pristina.

Scotland on Sunday - 9 Dec, 2007 - Families of Scots troops reveal hell of barrack life

Doug Young, the chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation, said: "Howe Barracks Canterbury is supposed to be one of the better barracks in the UK, so it is worrying that so many of the wives had concerns about their married quarters and family facilities. It is good that these comments are in an official report. Will anything ever get done?"

BFBS Forces Radio 2 - 23 Nov, 2007 - Glen Mansell Show

"The Secretary of State needs to listen". BAFF spokesman gave reaction to the House of Lords debate on 22 Nov.

An unofficial recording of this interview (© BFBS) is now available here (6 min mp3 file).

News of the World - 18 Nov, 2007 - Squaddies may sue over MOD slums

DEFENCE chiefs could be SUED over the squalid homes given to soldiers returning from war zones.

The troops' union is planning to take Defence Secretary Des Browne to court for compensation for servicemen and women forced to live in leaking, rat-infested old barracks.

And the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) wants the Ministry of Defence to be ordered to refurbish the run-down homes. BAFF chairman Doug Young said: "It beggars belief that the absolute worst barracks seem to have been reserved for some of the same units who have been fighting hardest in Afghanistan."

BAFF is in talks with troops and is offering free legal representation for any of its members who want to take the MOD on. A report recently revealed 19,000 soldiers and their families are living in conditions described by former top soldier General Sir Mike Jackson as "shaming".

BAFF can be contacted on 0800 458 1946.

Channel Four News - 16 Nov, 2007 - Desk-bound civil servants working in Iraq and Afghanistan earning bonuses worth more than double the wages of front-line troops.

C4 report includes interview with BAFF's Adrian Weale.

Unofficial 'British Army Rumour Service' website - 12 Nov, 2007

"It's funny, in the US we've had service advocacy groups for decades, performing roles approximate to that performed by the BAFF.

We haven't had a military coup yet....."

Unofficial 'British Army Rumour Service' website - 12 Nov, 2007

"Of course every serviceman has a voice on an e-forum and a casual scan through will see just how unified that voice is on every issue. BAFF fully endorses the chain of Command and does not want to undermine it at all. Having been in the chain of command myself, I have always believed in having a Federation that can take up issues when the chain of command cannot. I believed in and advocated a Federation when I was in command several years ago and still believe in it."

BBC Radio 5 Live - 11 Nov, 2007

BAFF Executive Council member Trudi Stevens reflects on the continuing relevance of Remembrance Sunday, and the support needs of today's serving personnel and their families.

BBC News - 8 Nov, 2007: The battle over forces spending - by Caroline Wyatt

A group of former military chiefs and politicians, calling themselves the UK National Defence Association (UKNDA), has launched a campaign for a major increase in funding for the armed forces.

...The UKNDA's launch comes after the establishment last year of the British Armed Forces Federation, a staff association set up amid growing discontent among the rank and file.

It also follows a report by the think tank Demos on Monday, which warned that the future for Britain's armed forces looked bleak unless steps were taken to improve pay, housing, training and recruitment.

Demos UK think-tank - 5 Nov, 2007: 'Out of Step', The case for change in the British armed forces

Perhaps the most distinctive development over the last decade has been the launch of the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) as an independent campaigning professional association for serving and retired service personnel... The response of senior commanders to the creation of BAFF and their criticism set out for the House of Commons Select Committee has been mixed. While some senior commanders have argued that any independent organisation designed to ‘fight for the rights’ of British troops is completely unnecessary and threatens a dangerous breakdown of military discipline, others, such as the late Lord Garden, a former RAF Air Marshal..., have been ‘surprised talking to retired senior military people who are prepared to think about it, saying there might be a case for it’.

The Times, 4 Nov, 2007: Troops face £1,000 life cover bill by Michael Smith

Doug Young, chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation, said: “It’s too much for servicemen and women to have to pay . . . just for the privilege of going on an operational tour.”

News of the World - 27 Oct, 2007: Slums for squaddie heroes by Jamie Lyons

The current ‘guests' forced to bed down at the zero-star Ledra Palace are the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.

But scandalously the accommodation is little better at many British bases. An official report recently revealed 19,000 soldiers and their families are in forces accommodation that's not up to scratch. Last night British Armed Forces Federation chairman Doug Young declared: "These pictures from Nicosia show just how bad the situation is.

"Our troops expect robust conditions when they're in the field. But this goes beyond anything they should be asked to put up with.

"British soldiers have been based at the Ledra Palace for a very long time so the government can't claim this is just an emergency. There's been plenty of opportunity to put it right.

"There's absolutely no excuse for this appalling neglect. Our soldiers shouldn't be in these dangerous and morale-sapping conditions."

The Sun - 26 Oct, 2007: From Helmand to hellhole: Barracks worse than jail by Tom Newton Dunn

British Armed Forces Federation chairman Douglas Young said: “That they should return to these appalling conditions is a national outrage. It is unthinkable that the Government could have neglected their home like this while they were away.

“What sort of a welcome home is that? What a sad message that gives to these brave guys about how much we value their sacrifice.”

Legion (official magazine of the Royal British Legion) - 23 Oct, 2007:

MOD announces accommodation upgrades - Building news met with mixed reactions

The current state of accommodation has been publicly condemned by many senior military officials, including Col Douglas Young, Chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation.

Col Young said: "It really is outrageous if the windfall is not used for accommodation when everybody knows – and the Government itself has admitted – that there is an urgent need for single people's accommodation to be upgraded."

BBC Radio Scotland - 24 Oct 2007

Douglas Young was the studio guest for a phone-in programme to mark the launch of the annual Poppy Appeal in Scotland.

BBC Radio 5 Live - 16 Oct, 2007

BAFF Chairman Douglas Young took part in a wide-ranging discussion about homecoming parades and 'honouring the troops'.

Sunday Telegraph, 14 Oct, 2007 - Wounded troops are treated as just figures by Sean Rayment

One manifestation of the discontent of the rank and file is the creation of the British Armed Forces Federation, a non-political body composed of serving and former members of the Armed Forces, who have joined together to campaign for better pay and conditions for troops.

For many in the military, the majority of whom are conservative by nature, the mere existence of such an organisation would have once been unthinkable. But in today's climate the organisation's membership is growing daily and it is developing into a powerful and influential force.

BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Wales - 13 Oct, 2007

BAFF interviews about MOD review of compensation for the most severely injured casualties.

BBC News 24, BBC Radio Scotland, and network - 5 Oct, 2007

BAFF interviews about increased MOD funding for veterans’ mental health charity ‘Combat Stress’. Emphasized continuing need for public support to Combat Stress, as there is still insufficient funding to make available specialist mental health care to all the veterans who need it.

BBC News 24, BBC Radio Scotland, Independent Radio News, BFBS Radio 2 – 25 Sep, 2007

BAFF interviews about MOD funding for single forces accommodation.

BBC News 24, BBC Radio 5 Live - 21 Sep, 2007

BAFF interviews about General Dannatt’s “Gulf between nation and troops” speech. Mentioned the new MOD “Gagging Order”.

Sunday Mirror - 9 Sep, 2007 - Fit for heroes?

Our troops put their lives on line but when they get home THEY have to pay for repairs on homes they don't own...

The scandal comes as the Sunday Mirror campaigns to get a fair deal for our troops. We are demanding that the Government respects the time-honoured 'Military Covenant' .... We have joined the Royal British Legion and the British Armed Forces Federation in a campaign to restore this bond.” …

Daily Telegraph - 31 Aug, 2007 - Over 1500 left waiting for casualty payouts

Douglas Young, chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation, claimed that some of his members who had asked the SPVA how they should survive while they waited for compensation had been told to go begging to military charities. 'Delays are not acceptable,' he said. 'If the SPVA doesn't have sufficient resources now, they should be given them immediately.' ...

BBC Radio 5 Live, 28 Aug, 2007

BAFF spokesman Adrian Weale was interviewed about the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

BBC News 24, 28 Aug, 2007

BAFF spokesman Douglas Young interviewed about the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. Also mentioned new MOD “Gagging Order”.

Times, UK - 28 Aug, 2007 – Letters to the Editor:

Gagging the Army

Sir, William Rees-Mogg is to be congratulated for highlighting both the iniquitous gagging order imposed on Service personnel and the disgraceful neglect of our hard-pressed Armed Forces…

The British Armed Forces Federation has been campaigning for some time on many of the issues referred to in his article. However, it is now in a quandary about future action given that most of our members are serving personnel in both the Regular and the Territorial/ Auxiliary Forces and they are “now no longer allowed to discuss matters related to defence through any public means of communication”.

The new gagging order seems to have been a kneejerk reaction to the behaviour of some of the naval returnees from their temporary stay in Iran, though it may also be an attempt by the MOD to stem the rising tide of criticism by members of the Armed Forces of the Government’s failure to honour the military covenant.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL RICHARD BARTLE (RETIRED), British Armed Forces Federation.

The Independent- 28 Aug, 2007 - Anger at soldier's 'insulting' payout

There was mounting anger last night at news that one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive Afghanistan had received an 'insulting' compensation payment.

Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, lost both his legs and suffered 37 wounds, including a brain injury, when a landmine exploded in Helmand last September. Despite needing specialised medical care for the rest of his life, the young soldier from the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery has been awarded £152,150 - slightly more than half the maximum - because the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only takes into account the first three injuries.

Douglas Young, chairman of the British Armed Forces Federation, said: 'It is deeply concerning somebody so badly injured should be compensated in this way. It really seems an unfair decision. The way the figures work out in this case are absolutely impossible to justify.'

While his organisation said they were not against the scheme, it was in 'crying need' of urgent review because enhanced body armour and excellent frontline medical care meant more soldiers were surviving very serious, multiple injuries.” ...

BBC Radio 4, “Talking Politics” with Sheena McDonald - 25 Aug, 2007

BAFF spokesman Douglas Young spoke about the Military Covenant.

The Daily Telegraph - 24 Aug, 2007: Alive and Kicking by Robert Chesshyre

This month the British Armed Forces Federation, formed last year to represent servicemen's interests, claimed that the covenant was a 'dead letter', while the Royal British Legion announced a campaign to 'address the growing sense of disillusionment among service personnel and veterans about their treatment'. …

Sunday Mirror - 18 Aug, 2007: Justice for our heroes

Today the Sunday Mirror joins the Royal British Legion and the British Armed Forces Federation in a campaign to restore this vital bond. They are demanding action on the key issues of treating and compensating the injured, speeding up inquests, gruelling, repeated tours of duty, shortages of kit and poor housing. ...

Sunday Mirror, UK - 18 Aug, 2007: Betrayal of the Bravest - by Colonel Tim Collins

It is beyond irony that the organisation which actually observed that the covenant was a 'dead letter' - The British Armed Forces Federation - was itself formed in response to a groundswell of disquiet in the Army about the extent that senior officers were failing in their duty to serve the men and women of the forces and to see 'fair play'.

I must say this was something I personally felt keenly when I decided to leave the Army in 2004, and it has become worse since then. ...

BBC Radio 4 Today programme, 16 Aug, 2007

0730 - 0800 "The Royal British Legion is to launch a campaign demanding that the government upholds its historic duty of care towards frontline troops who risk making 'the ultimate sacrifice'."

BAFF's Douglas Young followed by Bob Ainsworth MP, Minister of State (Armed Forces), MOD.

The item starts 1 min 40 sec into the clip (RealPlayer file).

BBC 3 Counties Radio, 15 Aug, 2007

BAFF interview (Weale)

BFBS Forces Radio, 15 Aug, 2007

BAFF interview (Young)

Politics.co.uk - 15 Aug, 2007: Govt accused of failing duties to troops

The Broken Covenant campaign will launch formally in September, putting pressure on ministers during the busy party conference season.

It is supported by the British Armed Forces Federation, who argue the covenant is 'now a dead letter'.

BAFF chairman Douglas Young told the Guardian: 'If the covenant is to be anything other than hot air, it needs to be at the forefront of policymakers' minds whenever defence policy is being formulated and not just trotted out when there's a good news story.' ...

BBC News, UK - 15 Aug, 2007: Ministers 'failing UK soldiers'

In January, the then Prime Minister Tony Blair called for the Covenant to be 'renewed' in the light of the intense and controversial conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq…

But an organisation set up last year to represent the interests of British troops, the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF), following concern about equipment shortages, said the Covenant had to mean something in practice....

The Scotsman - 15 Aug, 2007: British Legion in campaign for better care of soldiers

The British Armed Forces Federation said the covenant was now a 'dead letter', and pointed to growing complaints of soldiers losing faith in equipment, and increasing concern about the mission purpose in Basra, where troops are said to come under nightly attacks. ...

Daily Mail, UK - 15 Aug, 2007: Government 'failing its historic duty of care' toward frontline soldiers

…the new British Armed Forces Federation - the equivalent of a union for servicemen - said the Military Covenant, which guarantees soldiers fair treatment in return for giving up certain rights, was 'now a dead letter”.

Federation chairman Douglas Young said: 'If the Military Covenant is anything other than spin and hot air, then it has to be at the forefront of policymakers' minds whenever defence policy is being formulated.

'The sacrifices made by members of all three armed services in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the past few years have been immense and in return they need to be recognised with the special consideration that the covenant appears to promise.'…

The Guardian - 14 Aug, 2007 - 'We’ve been neglected and let down say combat troops' by Audrey Gillan

The government is failing in its historic duty of care towards frontline troops who put their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan, forces charities and campaigners claim.

There is growing anger in the service community that the Military Covenant, which says soldiers should always be able to expect fair treatment in return for the rights they forgo, is not being upheld.

The newly-founded British Armed Forces Federation, Baff, says that the covenant is 'now a dead letter'. And in an unprecedented move, the Royal British Legion - widely known for its poppy appeal and welfare work for old soldiers - is to launch a campaign demanding that the government upholds the covenant and provides its armed forces and their families with proper care in return for asking them to risk making 'the ultimate sacrifice for their country'. The campaign aims to 'address the growing sense of disillusionment among service personnel and veterans about their treatment by the state'. …

Defence News, 13 Aug 2007 - Official News Blog of the UK Ministry of Defence

Several newspapers report how the Royal British Legion are running a debate on their website canvassing people's views on the relationship between the Government, the public and the armed forces. Some of the media coverage around the issue points to claims that the Government are neglecting their duty of care towards front line troops. Like the British Legion and the British Armed Forces Federation, the MOD believes that we must provide the best possible support to our Service personnel and their families. The MOD has already taken a number of steps to provide better support. These include improving housing, expanding the range of vehicles and equipment available to our troops, implementing the Service Personnel Plan to deal with key recruitment and retention issues, and delivering excellent medical care and support to injured service personnel and their families. …

BBC2 Newsnight with Kirsty Wark - Discussion about MOD 'Gagging Order'

(Fairer social housing rules for service personnel - Victory for campaign led by BAFF member Nick Cowan)

Communities and Local Government News Release 21 June, 2007: Government puts service personnel on a level playing field for council housing

Service personnel leaving the UK Armed Forces should soon find it easier to get a council house following changes to the way social housing is allocated. Housing Minister Yvette Cooper today announced that the Government will amend the law to ensure service personnel are put on an equal footing with other people when applying for social housing.

Existing legislation allows local councils to take into account whether applicants have a local connection when prioritising applicants for social housing.

The legislation can put serving personnel at a disadvantage, as it is not possible for them to establish a local connection with an area through residence or employment when serving in the Armed Forces.

A recent small scale study of 17 local councils carried out by Communities and Local Government found that there were regional differences in how service personnel looking for social housing are treated. …

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said:

“It’s right we provide our servicemen and women with the best possible support as they move back to civilian life.

“The service our Armed Forces give to their country must not place them at any disadvantage when applying for a council house.

“We are closing this loop-hole which has led to some former service personnel facing an uphill battle getting access to social housing.” …

House of Commons Hansard, 21 June, 2007:

Willie Rennie MP (Dunfermline and West Fife) (LD):

"Adrian Weale from the British Armed Forces Federation has pointed out that defence funding was based on assumptions made in the late 1990s. He said:

'We were never expected to be having to mount these two'—

by which he means Iraq and Afghanistan—

'what are called medium-scale enduring operations at the same time. And that's put a lot of pressure on the armed forces.'"

Strasbourg: EUROMIL-delegation at the Council of Europe 14-15 June 2007

EUROMIL – Jun 19, 2007 Practice in Europe has shown that granting soldiers full citizen rights like the right of association has in no way decreased military discipline or combat effectiveness. Nevertheless many European countries still restrict fundamental rights of members of their armed forces.

Six representatives of EUROMIL and the British Armed Forces Federation participated at the first meeting of the Council of Europe's Working Group on Human Rights of Members of the Armed Forces in Strasbourg 14-15 June 2007. …

House of Commons Hansard, 6 June, 2007 - Armed Forces (Federation) Bill

Kevan Jones MP (North Durham) (Lab):

I now believe that there is a groundswell of opinion among the public as well as among members of the armed forces that it is time that those members should have an independent voice to represent their interests. Recent controversies surrounding accommodation, the treatment given in medical facilities to injured personnel returning from Iraq—and, of course, the scandal at Deepcut—have highlighted the increasing need for members of the armed forces to have an independent voice and to ensure that it is heard.
There is also increasing evidence that members of Her Majesty's armed forces need to have access to independent legal advice. In the previous Parliament, I also served on the Committee that considered the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Act 2004. It was clear from those deliberations that members of Her Majesty's armed services needed independent employment advice and advice about their pensions.
I propose not a trade union but a federation along the lines of the Police Federation. I want to build on the excellent work already done by the British Armed Forces Federation, which was set up in 2006, has recently been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, and is now recruiting members. The work of Douglas Young and his team at the BAFF has been important in raising awareness of such issues among members of the armed forces. …

More about Armed Forces (Federation) Bill.

The House (weekly magazine for Parliament) - 2 April, 2007: British Armed Forces Federation - An Independent Voice

by Douglas Young, Chairman, British Armed Forces Federation:

The covenant between the Nation and the Army (and, by extension, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force) has received much attention in the media in recent months: in reality, many within the Armed Forces feel that the covenant is a dead letter. ...

For older news mentioning BAFF, try this web search: British Armed Forces Federation
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