Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: 151 Executive Officer roles across Scotland and NE England – closing date 07 Oct

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have a total of 151 Executive Officer (EO) roles across Scotland and North East England. The roles are EO Work Coach in Universal Credit and Job Centre service.

DWP welcome applications from veterans, reservists, their family members and currently serving personnel looking to transition into civilian life..

Civil Service Jobs links with further information on the roles available, and application details:

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - Northeast England (Ref: 780) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - Northeast Scotland (Ref: 779) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - East and Central Scotland (Ref: 778) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach - South West Scotland (Ref: 777) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

The closing date is 07 Oct.

NHS STOPTOBER - let's quit together

 

First Defence Finance: How does the Bank of England Work?

How Does the Bank of England Work?

Author: First Defence Finance

You've probably heard the phrase "the Bank of England has changed interest rates" countless times.

But what does that actually mean?

Who decides whether interest rates go up or down? Why does the Bank of England change them? And how could a decision that gets made in London affect your savings, mortgage or loan?

With the Bank of England's next interest rate decision coming up on 17th September 2026, here's everything you need to know, without the financial jargon.

First, what is the Bank of England?

The Bank of England is the UK's central bank, but it's different from the banks you might use for your current account or credit card.

Its job is to help keep the UK's financial system stable and keep inflation under control.

One of its most important jobs is setting the Bank Rate, the interest rate that influences many other interest rates across the economy.

The Armed Forces Pension Schemes Quick Reference Guide

 To view the quick reference guide to the Armed Forces Pension scheme click on the link below.

Armed Forces Pension Schemes Quick Reference Guide

Defence Update: Local Overseas Allowance rate changes 2026

Local Overseas Allowance rate changes 2026

From 1 October 2026, some Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) rates will go up, and some will go down, depending on the cost of living in your location.

Check the new rates for where you're based before the change takes effect.

LOA explained

LOA is money paid to Service personnel who are working overseas.
It helps cover the extra cost of everyday living overseas, when prices abroad are higher than in the UK.

What's changing and why

Every year, experts check the cost of living in each country. They use information from the Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA) survey and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This tells us if prices have gone up or down compared to the UK.

Two things to know about this year's changes:

1. Child rate is staying the same: The way LOA works out payments for children is being looked at again. Until this review finishes, child LOA rates will not change.

2. Second car payments are going down: New ONS data shows that running a car in the UK now costs less than before. As LOA compares costs to the UK, this means the second car payment is going down everywhere.

What you need to do

Look up the full details on the new rates for your location. These can be found in the Directed Letter 'Revised Local Overseas Allowance Rates effective from 1 October 2026' (on defnet and Defence Connect).

Your Offer, recognising your service

There are other allowances available to help with essential needs and family wellbeing while you're overseas.

Find out more in JSP 752 or visit Discover My Benefits to explore the range of savings, allowances and opportunities available.

Point of Contact

The Allowances Team: People-AFRem-AllcesGroup@mod.gov.uk

Recruit for Spouses: Upcoming events, programmes and upskilling opportunities for military families

The latest Recruit for Spouses update includes:

• The RFS Coaching and Mentoring Programme - participant feedback
• RFS on BFBS radio!
• Op SPOUSE: have your say
• Upcoming events and webinars

To view the update in full, please go to this link: Upcoming events, programmes and upskilling opportunities for military families

The Warrior Programme: 3 day ONLINE foundation course - 9-11 November

Click image to enlarge

Are you interested in maximising your potential and overcoming the feelings of low self-confidence, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, stress and anxiety, that keep tripping you up?

The Warrior Programme are running a 3 day ONLINE foundation course on Monday 9th - Wednesday 11th November - the same Warrior Programme that enables you to better manage emotions, feel more balanced and in control of life and work, just delivered online in the same format as our residential courses to maximise your time.

For more information about this and our other foundation courses please get in touch at:

enquiries@warriorprogramme.org.uk

stating whether you are serving personnel or a family member and which service you are with.

We are really looking forward to working with you and others in the same position, who are motivated to address challenges and maximise personal performance.

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Free financial education webinars this October

 
🌿 Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills
When: Thursday 8th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Discover how you can live a greener life to protect the planet and your wallet.

✍ Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
When: Tuesday 13th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Learn how to create a budget that meets your financial goals, with tips to cut spending.

🏡 Wills, Trusts and LPA Explained: Presented in Collaboration with Estates Planning Seminars
When: Wednesday 14th - 12:00-13:30
What to Expect: Discover the options available for protecting your assets and your family.

🌍 Financial Guidance for Global Majority Workers in the UK
When: Thursday 15th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Explore the common challenges faced by Global Majority Workers and the support available.

🐖 Saving Made Simple: Practical Habits to Boost Your Savings
When: Wednesday 21st - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Discover 10 practical savings methods to build a healthy savings cushion.

☔ Financial Resilience: Ready When it Matters
When: Thursday 22nd - 12:00-13:00
What to Expect: Discover why financial resilience is so important, with simple tips to improve your resilience.

🚀 Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
When: Friday 23rd - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Understand the importance of credit scores, with simple tips to improve your score.

💷 Borrow Smarter: Tips to Strengthen Your Loan Application
When: Thursday 29th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Explore the journey of a loan application, the factors lenders evaluate, and what to do before applying.

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

Motorfinity Community Update (September 2026)

Motorfinity Community Update (September 2026)

Your role could unlock more than you think with Motorfinity

The new 76 plate is here

The new 76 plate has arrived — and if you work in the NHS, emergency services, armed forces, education, social care or another eligible sector, your role could unlock exclusive savings on a brand-new car.

With selected vehicles available for quick delivery, you could be behind the wheel of a new 76 plate sooner than you think.

More than just a saving

Depending on your eligibility and the manufacturer, Motorfinity customers can access:

• Exclusive discounts on brand-new cars
• A wide choice of leading manufacturers
• Family discounts with participating brands
• Flexible finance options
• Part exchange
• UK-wide delivery
• Expert support from first browse to delivery

MOD Discover My Benefits Families Hub: Health & Wellbeing information for World Mental Health Day on 10 Oct

Discover My Benefits - Families

Career Transition Partnership: Upcoming Employment Fairs – Bournemouth on 24 Sept and Belfast on 14 Oct

CTP Employment Fairs are open to Service leavers, Veterans, Reservists, partners and spouses.

Service leavers, recent veterans and Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Veterans who discharged more than 2 years ago and family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

Alternatively register via the Forces Employment Charity (FEC): Link and click 'REGISTER' from the menu.

Remaining 2026 CTP Employment Fair dates are:

Cardiff - 5 Nov

Telford - 19 Nov

Combat Stress ‘Stronger Together’ Webinar series – starting 1 Oct

Are you supporting a veteran with PTSD or trauma? @CombatStress, the UK's leading charity for Armed Forces mental health, has a free Stronger Together webinar series that can help:

Five sessions delivered by in-house clinical lead, Dr Vicky Aldridge

Gain insight into PTSD and trauma, communication strategies and how best to support your loved one and yourself

Starts Thursday 1 October 2026, every Thursday throughout October

Register to book your place today: https://combatstress.org.uk/referrers/combat-stress-learning/family-and-friends-of-veterans/

Recruit for Spouses: October Events and Employment opportunities for military families

Click posters to enlarge.

www.recruitforspouses.co.uk

Forces Employment Charity: Two-day online accelerator workshop – 6-7 Oct

Ready to take the next step in your career? Empowering You Virtual is a super practical, free two-day online workshop, supported by Barclays, designed to help you build confidence, recognise your strengths and connect well with employers who understand military life. Join the Forces Employment Charity on 6–7 October 2026 and leave with practical tools, fresh insight and clear next steps.

Register today: https://rfea.my.site.com/forcesemployment/s/community-event?id=a48N1000000RYaHIAW

Open to military spouses/partners – even if based overseas, young people from 18-24 yrs, female veterans or reservists.

BFBS Update: Paramount Pictures’ Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt, comes to military working dog headquarters for pre-release screening in BFBS mobile cinema

BFBS

Paramount Pictures’ Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt, comes to military working dog headquarters for pre-release screening in BFBS mobile cinema

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service), brought Hollywood to the heart of the UK’s military working dog community, hosting an exclusive pre-release screening of Paramount Pictures’ Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt, directed by David Ayer and written by Cameron Alexander, at the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) in Melton Mowbray, the headquarters for the UK’s Military Working Animals.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 18 September 2026

Military families invited to help shape the future of Service Family Housing

The MOD has today launched the Red Tape Challenge, inviting families to tell us about processes that are getting in the way of them enjoying their homes, so that we can work to change them.

This is just one of a series of new pledges setting out clear commitments to Service families on the quality of their homes, customer service, and ensuring their voices are heard.

For more information and details on how to make a submission, click here.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: 234 Executive Officer roles across North West England and Wales – closing date 01 Oct

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have a total of 234 Executive Officer (EO) roles across North West England and Wales. The role is EO Case Managers/ Decision Makers in Disability Services and Dispute Resolution Services.

These vacancies may be of interest to Service leavers, veterans and Service community members looking at Civil Service roles.

Civil Service Jobs link with further information on the roles available, and application details:

Disability Services - Case Manager / Dispute Resolution Services - Decision Maker - EO National (Ref: 776) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

The closing date is 01 Oct.

Forces Employment Charity: Two-day online accelerator workshop – 6-7 Oct

Ready to take the next step in your career? Empowering You Virtual is a super practical, free two-day online workshop, supported by Barclays, designed to help you build confidence, recognise your strengths and connect well with employers who understand military life. Join the Forces Employment Charity on 6–7 October 2026 and leave with practical tools, fresh insight and clear next steps.

Register today: https://rfea.my.site.com/forcesemployment/s/community-event?id=a48N1000000RYaHIAW

Open to military spouses/partners – even if based overseas, young people from 18-24 yrs, female veterans or reservists.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 18 September 2026

Military families invited to help shape the future of Service Family Housing

The MOD has today launched the Red Tape Challenge, inviting families to tell us about processes that are getting in the way of them enjoying their homes, so that we can work to change them.

This is just one of a series of new pledges setting out clear commitments to Service families on the quality of their homes, customer service, and ensuring their voices are heard.

For more information and details on how to make a submission, click here.

ABF The Soldiers Charity: Bungee Jump at Heaton Park Manchester - 4th October 2026

The event will take place at Heaton Park, Manchester, one of the largest municipal parks in Europe and home to the historic Heaton Hall. It's a fantastic venue and the perfect backdrop for an adrenaline-fuelled day.

This year, participants will be taking the plunge from a 300ft crane, which is quite a step up from the 180ft jump completed by some of our supporters earlier this year. The good news is that we're offering free places, and while our usual minimum fundraising target is £200, we're happy to reduce this to just £100.

Whether it's on someone's bucket list or they're simply keen to prove they're braver than their colleagues, it's a great opportunity to take on an unforgettable challenge while supporting The Army Benevolent Fund.

Registration link: Brave The Drop 2026