Gov.uk Armed Forces Pensions Update: Pension Scams

The over-arching link for all Armed Forces Pensions information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans

Serve and Protect Credit Union – Sept Financial Education Webinars

Serve & Protect Credit Union have the following upcoming financial education webinars:

Topic: Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money
Date: 04 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Topic: Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
Date: 08 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Topic: The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected
Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Topic: Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
Date: 25 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Topic: Before You Borrow: Key Things to Know
Date: 30 September 2025
Time: 1200 - 1245
Register: Before You Borrow: Key Things to Know | Serve and Protect Credit Union

For more information on Serve & Protect webinars, please visit: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/education/webinars/

2025 Army Families Federation questionnaire on Service pay

The Army Families Federation (AFF), Naval Families Federation (NFF) and RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) are jointly running a questionnaire to hear from Regular Service Personnel and their families about satisfaction with pay and personal financial circumstances over the past 12 months.

The responses will help to:

Better understand the financial challenges faced by service families.

Identify any trends or issues specific to each of the single services.

Provide robust, evidence-based feedback to the MOD, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, and other key stakeholders.

To take part in this questionnaire, which is open to serving personnel, spouses and partners, please click the link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AFF2025_Pay_Questionnaire

The questionnaire should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and every response helps strengthen the evidence that family federations can present on behalf of families.

Wiltshire: Household Support Fund extended to help Wiltshire's most vulnerable until March 2026

Wiltshire Council has welcomed the UK Government's decision to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) for another year, ensuring vital assistance continues for residents most in need. The seventh round of the fund, known as HSF7, will run from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

The Household Support Fund is designed to provide crisis support to households struggling with essential living costs, such as food and utility bills. It also offers preventative support, including budgeting and cookery classes, and the purchase of energy-efficient appliances like fridges and cookers.

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) bank holiday arrangements for 25 August 2025

The Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) office opening arrangements are different for the 25 August bank holiday.

England, Scotland and Wales:

On Monday 25 August offices and phone lines are closed.
To make sure people get their payment on a day when our offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early.
If the expected payment date is Monday 25 August then benefits will be paid early on Friday 22 August.
If the expected payment date is not shown, customers will get their money on their usual payment date.

Stop Loan Sharks: Summer Newsletter

 
Stop Loan Sharks have published their summer newsletter. This jam packed edition features the latest arrests, a video for school children, a new campaign encouraging partners to support victims in making the call, and much more.

To read the newsletter please click HERE

For further information please visit the Stop Loan Sharks website: Home - Stop Loan Sharks

Wiltshire: Struggling with high energy prices and the cost of living? Warm and Safe Wiltshire may be able to help!

Please click the images to enlarge

To visit the website, please click here

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Scotland: MyGov Scot Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods are payments that help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child.
About Best Start Grant

The 3 Best Start Grant payments are:

Pregnancy and Baby Payment

Pregnancy and Baby Payment helps with the costs of having a baby. You can apply for this payment during pregnancy to help prepare for your baby's arrival, or after your baby is born.

Early Learning Payment

If your application is successful you'll get £319.80 to help with the costs of early learning. You can get the payment when your child is aged between 2 years old and 3 years and 6 months old. To get this payment your child does not need to go to nursery.

School Age Payment
School Age Payment is a payment of £319.80 per child. It helps with the costs of preparing for school when your child is first old enough to start primary school.

Defence update - Simplifying overseas service finances

Simplifying overseas service finances…

Defence’s new digital tools and updated allowances help you and your family navigate the financial aspects of overseas assignments – with greater confidence and less paperwork.

When serving overseas, you should be able to focus on your work and settling into your new location, without worrying about unexpected costs or navigating complex policies.

Financial stability and a clear understanding of what you and your family can receive are essential components to support operational effectiveness. That’s why Defence is freeing up valuable time and providing welcome reassurance, by simplifying allowance processes and providing tools that reduce admin.

These changes make the move to overseas life smoother for everyone, providing greater clarity and choice – whether you’re posted abroad or keeping a home across borders.

Easier claims with more flexibility

From 1 July 2025, eligible personnel assigned to Brunei, USA, Kenya, and select European and Rest of World locations (administered by the Global Support Organisation) can opt into the Global Mobility Allowance (GMA) trial.

This initiative combines existing Disturbance Expense Overseas, Respite Provision, and Overseas Private Vehicle Provision allowances into a single, non-taxable lump sum payment – and there’s no requirement for expenses receipts to be provided before claiming.

The GMA Calculator gives a real-time, tailored estimate of how much you will receive, and you can use the allowance however you see fit – with JSP 752 providing guidance on expenses the combined allowances can contribute towards.

Planning made simple

The new Overseas Allowances Reckoner (OAR) tool instantly calculates personalised allowance estimates for those preparing for overseas assignments. Simply enter basic details about your assignment location, family status, and accommodation type to receive immediate values for applicable overseas allowances.

This tool removes the need for time-consuming paperwork and manual calculations, reducing risk of errors and providing greater certainty and reduced stress, during what can be a challenging transition period.

Supporting family connections

For eligible unaccompanied and single Service personnel, with family homes in Europe while permanently assigned in the UK, the Get You Home (Travel to Europe) trial scheme has been extended until June 2026. This provides contributions for up to two return journeys to your European residence, per month.

Qualifying European countries include Cyprus, Germany and France and can be used towards travel via flights, ferry, rail or road.

Disturbance Expenses rate uplift

From 1 July 2025, eligible Service personnel moving to the UK from overseas can claim the same, higher ‘overseas rate’ for Disturbance Expenses as those moving overseas from the UK.

More information

· Read about the new allowance updates and explore the calculation tools on defnet and Defence Connect.

· Visit discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk – to access the ‘Families Hub’ and information on what’s included in ‘Your Offer’.

Serve and Protect Credit Union - July update

📢 Free financial webinars this July from Serve and Protect - don't miss out!

This July, Serve and Protect Credit Union are delivering a range of free educational webinars on the following financial topics:Thu 3rd - Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money
Thu 3rd - People Over Profit: The Credit Union Movement
Tue 8th - Responsible Lending: How We Can Stop Loan Sharks Together
Thu 10th - Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
Tue 15th - Harmful Effects of Gambling: Presented in collaboration with GamCare
Thu 17th - Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
Tue 22nd - The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected
Thu 24th - Before You Borrow: Things to Know

With actionable tips to prepare for financial emergencies, improve your credit score, and budget your money, don't miss out on these free webinars from Serve and Protect!

🔗 Register here: https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars

NEW webinar available 🚨

Credit unions are an ethical and responsible way to manage your money and improve your finances. These not-for-profit cooperatives are all about putting people over profit! 🌍

Discover how you could benefit from joining a credit union with the latest webinar from Serve and Protect Credit Union this July.

👉 Learn more and register for free here: https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars

Improved website accessibility

Serve and Protect Credit Union are here to help you meet your financial needs 🙌

Their new website accessibility toolbar also means you can access Serve and Protect's free financial resources in a way which meets your unique requirements.

From built-in screen reading functionality, to reading aids, customisable styling options, and translation into over 100 languages, their website is truly accessible to all 😊

👉 Learn more about Serve and Protect via their website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-update

Understanding loan sharks

Why are loan sharks so dangerous? 💸

When life throws us financial surprises, it can be tempting to consider quick fixes such as a loan from an unregulated lender. However, turning to loan sharks can bring devestating consequences to you and your loved ones 🤕

Serve and Protect Credit Union recently spoke with Stop Loan Sharks to understand the dangers, signs to look for, and the support available for victims.

👉 Read the full article here: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/articles/what-are-loan-sharks-and-why-are-they-so-dangerous/

Wales: Welsh Government - Get help with school costs

From 1 July, families in Wales could get £125 per child through the School Essentials Grant to help with costs for the new school year. 

Check your eligibility: https://www.gov.wales/get-help-school-costs

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

It’s here: Global Mobility Allowance trial begins

It’s here: Global Mobility Allowance trial begins

From 1 July, eligible Service personnel are now invited to register for a new overseas allowance that offers an easier claims process and greater flexibility on spending.

Global Mobility Allowance (GMA) is being trialled as a new way to receive a financial contribution towards expenses that arise when you move to or from an overseas permanent assignment in:

• Brunei – 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles (2RGR) and Brunei Garrison Staff (incl. 667 Sqn, 5AAC) only
• USA – British Defence Staff US (BDSUS) administered locations only
• Kenya – British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) Garrison Staff only
• Europe/ Rest of World (RoW) – Global Support Organisation (GSO) administered locations only

The new Global Mobility Allowance Calculator (accessible via defnet or Defence Connect) gives a real-time, tailored estimate of the GMA allowance you will receive, and a comparison of GMA trial versus non-trial allowances.

The tool simplifies what would be a complex and time-consuming calculation process and enables you to make informed decisions about your assignment – including considerations on family support, cost of living and financial planning.

Brecon: Smart Money Cymru Drop in sessions - Tuesdays at The Guildhall, Brecon

Smart Money Cymru Community Bank is now running drop-in sessions at The Guildhall in Brecon, bringing services back to the town.

Where: The Guildhall, Brecon. LD3 7AL
When: Tuesdays between 1pm and 3pm
No appointment needed – just pop in!

Whether you'd like to open a savings account, apply for a loan, get help with your account, or simply chat with a friendly face about your finances, Smart Money Cymru is there to help.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Medway Business Advice Service

Medway businesses connect with the Business Advice Service and get support to help businesses grow.

Medway has a diverse economy made up of more than 14,000 businesses.

The aim is to support business to deliver projects that can make Medway an economic powerhouse.

 

The Business Advice Service and local network offers impartial business advice to companies of all sizes and in all sectors. Designed to help guide local businesses to find solutions best suited to their own needs.

 
Resources include:

- Free business planning advice
- Help to access funding in the form of grants and loans
- Help finding the ideal Medway location for your business
- Support in recruiting staff and apprentices
- Advice on business start-up and licensing a business

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Serve + Protect Credit Union’s latest podcast about managing debt successfully

 

There are lots of times when borrowing money can be useful. However, managing your debt can sometimes become overwhelming.

The latest podcast episode from Serve and Protect Credit Union is full of useful information on managing your debt effectively and the support available if you are struggling.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/qtL02Yl2lV0?si=DJmTfo-KNo-G5euF

MOD staff benefit update: New fixed-rate savings account available from Serve + Protect Credit Union

 

A new issue of the fixed-rate savings account from Seve and Protect Credit Union is available from 1st to 26th June 2025.

This is available to you as part of the financial wellbeing benefits we offer through our partnership with them.

• 4% AER fixed for 12 months

• No fees or charges

This is just for your awareness - not a recommendation. Please review the details and decide if it’s right for you.

https://sandpcu.co.uk/hs-fixed-saver

Terms and eligibility criteria apply

Richmond: The Richmond Banking Hub Mon - Fri

The Richmond banking hub is located at 20 King Street, DL10 4HP

Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

The hub offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks can carry out regular cash transactions, whenever it's open.

A community banker service is also available where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues on allocated days:

Community Banker availability
Mon:
NatWest
Tue:
Lloyds
Wed:
HSBC
Thu:
Barclays
Fri:
Halifax

Please note that our community bankers may be unavailable during lunchtime as they take a well-deserved break.

Serve & Protect Credit Union - 2025/26 Cash ISA now launched!

 

Serve and Protect Credit Union's latest Fixed Cash ISA is here!

Secure a guaranteed and tax-free 4% AER return on your savings for the 2025/26 tax year, while supporting the wider community of those who serve and protect. Here’s how the new Fixed Cash ISA benefits you:

• Start Small, Save Big: Deposit as little as £5, with contributions up to £20,000 for this tax year.
• Tax-Free Growth: Enjoy a guaranteed 4% AER return to maximise your savings effortlessly.
• Peace of Mind: Your savings are protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme).
• Community Impact: Your savings make a meaningful difference by supporting others within the credit union.

Learn more at: https://sandpcu.co.uk/isa-hs-email

Hampshire: Forces Connect South East

Forces Connect South East

Hampshire County Council is proud to be part of Forces Connect South East

Forces Connect South East is a cross border partnership comprising Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex County Councils, Brighton and Hove, Medway Councils and Sussex NHS.

It is a two-year Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant Funded Programme aimed at making it easier for servicemen and women and their families, as well as reservists and veterans, to access public sector services including healthcare, housing, schools, financial advice and support to find jobs.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

NAAFI Fund 2025 – Applications Now Open!

NAAFI have just announced the launch of the NAAFI Fund Date for 2025! Applications are now open!

The NAAFI Fund was launched back in 2020 and has supported 467 projects so far, donating over £4 million to help improve the lives of service personnel and their families around the world. To read more about the projects that NAAFI have supported to date: https://naafi.co.uk/giving-back/

To read the blog post announcing new information regarding the NAAFI Fund 2025: NAAFI Fund: Applications Now Open - NAAFI